abstract
The development of polymeric systems loaded with natural compounds is gaining momentum as a strategy for designing therapeutic materials, especially when combined with environmentally friendly technologies such as supercritical solvent impregnation (SSI). Olive leaf extract (OLE), particularly rich in oleuropein, offers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study explores for the first time the SSI of OLE into poly- dioxanone (PDO) filaments, a biocompatible polymer commonly used in biomedical applications. The extract used, with 181.08 mg g−1 of oleuropein, demonstrated robust biological activity (DPPH IC50: 16.8 ± 1.4 mg L−1; LOX IC50: 207.2 ± 22.8 mg L−1). Processing conditions (pressure and temperature) were optimized to maximize extract incorporation, achieving the highest loading (15.05 ± 2.88 mg g−1) at 400 bar and 75 ◦C. Release assays performed in simu- lated physiological fluid (pH 7.4) revealed a diffusion-dominated mechanism. The active molecules retained their bioactivity post-release, with the in situ generation of the highly potent derivative, hydroxytyrosol. These find- ings support the potential of SSI as a platform for producing functional PDO-based systems with enhanced long- term therapeutic properties.
authors
L. Verano-Naranjo, N.D. Machado, C. Cejudo-Bastante, L. Casas, C.S.R. Freire, C. Vilela, C. Mantell
our authors
Carla Vilela
Assistant Professor
Carmen Sofia da Rocha Freire Barros
Coordinating ResearcherProjects
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
This publication is part of the R + D + I project reference PID2020- 116229RB-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF A way of making Europe”, and is also framed in the Project “TED2021-131822B–I00” financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. Some of the infrastructures used to carry out this research have been funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, project reference EQC2019- 005988-P. This work was also developed within the scope of the project CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDB/50011/2020), UIDP/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/ UIDP/50011/2020) & LA/P/0006/2020 (DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0006/ 2020), financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).