Nayara Cecilia Guedes

Nayara Cecilia Guedes


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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16 January 2025 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Magno Maciel-MagalhãesMagno Maciel-Magalhães
Magno Maciel-Magalhães
RMRenata Jurema Medeiros
Renata Jurema Medeiros
NGNayara Cecilia Guedes
Nayara Cecilia Guedes
TBThais Morais de Brito
Thais Morais de Brito
GSGabriele Fátima de Souza
Gabriele Fátima de Souza
IDIsabella Fernandes Delgado
Isabella Fernandes Delgado
Background: Amphotericin B (AmB) is a commonly utilized antifungal agent, which is also recommended for the treatment of certain neglected tropical diseases, including leishmaniasis. However, its clinical application is constrained because of its poor oral bioavailability and adverse effects, prompting the investigation of alternative drug delivery systems. Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) have gained attention as a potential drug delivery vehicle, providing advantages such as sustained release and enhanced bioavailability, and could have potential as AmB carriers. However, concerns persist regarding nanomaterials’ toxicity, requiring more studies. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were used as a valuable model for toxicity testing, especially because of their genetic similarity to humans and standardized developmental assessments. Methods: In this study, we produced and characterized AmB loaded and non-loaded PNPs by nanoprecipitation, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and spectroscopy. Afterwards, we verified their toxicity through in vitro MTT assays in three cell lines (HEK293, HepG2, and J774 A1) and in vivo tests with zebrafish embryos. Results: In both trials, it was noted that nanoencapsulation of the drug led to increased toxicity when compared to non-encapsulated AmB, possibly indicating that they penetrated the embryo’s chorion. Nevertheless, it was demonstrated that the polymers used are safe and they are not the cause of toxicity, neither are the nanostructures per se. Conclusions: Therefore, it is believed that the objective of improving the bioavailability of AmB may have been achieved, and the observed toxicity was probably linked to AmB’s ability to destabilize cell membranes.