Curcumin and quercetin co-encapsulated in nanoemulsions for intranasal administration: a promising therapeutic and prophylactic treatment for viral respiratory infections

Daniela P. Vaiss1, Jamile L. Rodrigues1, Virginia C. Yurgel1, Frank do C. G. JR1, Lauanda Larissa M. da Matta1, Paula Alice B. Barros1, Gustavo R. Vaz1, Raíssa N. dos Santos2, Bibiana F. Matte2, Larine Kupski1, Jaqueline G. Buffon1, Juliana Bidone3, Ana Luiza M. Baisch1, Fabio Sonvico4 and Cristiana L. Dora1**

1 Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande 96203-900, Brazil; 2 Virology Laboratory of the Biotechnology Startup Núcleo Vitro, Porto Alegre 91040-600, Brazil; 3 Center of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Capão do Leão, 96010-610. Pelotas, RS, Brazil; 4 Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.

One of the most frequent causes of respiratory infections are viruses. Viruses reaching the airways can be absorbed by the human body through the respiratory mucosa and mainly infect lung cells. Several viral infections are not yet curable, such as coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Furthermore, the side effect of synthetic antiviral drugs and reduced efficacy against resistant variants have reinforced the search for alternative and effective treatment options, such as plant-derived antiviral molecules. Curcumin (CUR) and quercetin (QUE) are two natural compounds that have been widely studied for their health benefits, such as antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. However, poor oral bioavailability limits the clinical applications of these natural compounds. In this work, nanoemulsions (NE) co-encapsulating CUR and QUE designed for nasal administration were developed as promising prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for viral respiratory infections. Our hypothesis is that the coadministration of QUE and CUR NEs by nasal route could be used as a treatment for viral respiratory infections.

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