Toxicological analysis of chronic exposure to polymeric nanocapsules with different coatings in Drosophila melanogaster

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology 2024-09, Vol.283, p.109939, Article 109939
• Main Authors: Machado, Franciéle Romero, Bortolotto, Vandreza Cardoso, Araujo, Stífani Machado, Dahleh, Mustafa Munir Mustafa, Fernandes, Eliana Jardim, Musachio, Elize Aparecida Santos, Funguetto-Ribeiro, Ana Cláudia, Haas, Sandra Elisa, Guerra, Gustavo Petri, Prigol, Marina, Boeira, Silvana Peterini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior; Drosophila melanogaster - drug effects; Drug Carriers - chemistry; Drug Carriers - toxicity; Nanocapsules - toxicity; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Polymers; Polymers - chemistry; Polymers - toxicity; Surface coatings; Toxicity
• ISSN: 1532-0456; 1878-1659
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109939

Nanotechnology involves the utilization of nanomaterials, including polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) that are drug carriers. For modify drug release and stability, nanoformulations can feature different types of polymers as surface coatings: Polysorbate 80 (P80), Polyethylene glycol (PEG), Chitosan (CS) and Eudragit (EUD). Although nanoencapsulation aims to reduce side effects, these polymers can interact with living organisms, inducing events in the antioxidant system. Thus far, little has been described about the impacts of chronic exposure, with Drosophila melanogaster being an in vivo model for characterizing the toxicology of these polymers. This study analyzes the effects of chronic exposure to polymeric NCs with different coatings. Flies were exposed to 10, 50, 100, and 500 μL of NCP80, NCPEG, NCCS, or EUD. The survival rate, locomotor changes, oxidative stress markers, cell viability, and Nrf2 expression were evaluated. Between the coatings, NCPEG had minimal effects, as only 500 μL affected the levels of reactive species (RS) and the enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) without reducing Nrf2 expression. However, NCEUD significantly impacted the total flies killed, RS, CAT, and Superoxide dismutase from 100 μL. In part, the toxicity mechanisms of these coatings can be explained by the imbalance of the antioxidant system. This research provided initial evidence on the chronic toxicology of these nanomaterials in D. melanogaster to clarify the nanosafety profile of these polymers in future nanoformulations. Further investigations are essential to characterize possible biochemical pathways involved in the toxicity of these polymeric coatings. [Display omitted] •Coatings used in polymeric nanocapsules can affect the antioxidant system.•Drosophila as a living organism to unravel the toxicity of nanomaterials•Out of 4 polymers used in polymeric coatings, NCPEG was safer in higher quantities.•NCEUD demonstrated several alterations related to oxidative stress parameters.