Design, characterization and efficacy evaluation of natural nasal sprays based on phospholipid vesicles loading plant-extracts.

Plants and their derivates have been used as medicines beneficial products for centuries and today is being re-discovered their usefulness for the human health is being re-discovered. The therapeutic properties of phytochemicals are re-evaluated under the light of medical and pharmacological research, pushed by a constantly growing market demand, where consumers trust more natural products than synthetic drugs. New studies are specifically focused on the effectiveness of phytochemicals against a wide range of ailments. In this thesis, the efficacy of topical formulations based on natural bioactive molecules in the treatment of nasal mucosal diseases, has been presented. Three nasal sprays based on phospholipid vesicles loading the extracts of C. halicacabum L., Z. officinalis and co-loading Z. officinalis plus citral, were designed to counteract disorders involving the upper airways, such as rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. For each formulation, physico-chemical characteristics, spray geometry, biocompatibility and biological activity were evaluated.