Consumers around the world are interested in using phytotherapeutic products that primarily provide desired health benefits, but also fulfil safety requirements. Natural bio-active compounds represented by plant oils and selective extracts isolated from different indigenous raw materials can form the basis for the development of a variety of much safer medical products compared to those obtained from synthetic chemicals. The project entitled "Dermato-cosmetic bio-products based on plant oils and phytocomplexes with anti-acne action" (Acronym PHYTO-COSMETIC) is relevant to the "Biotechnology research area" (Section 6), thematic area 6.1.1 "Design and development of new drugs with maximum efficacy and minimal side effects" and will be developed by a multidisciplinary consortium between POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest (CO), National Research-Development Institute for Biological Sciences, Bucharest (P1), National Research-Development Institute for Chemistry-Pharmaceutics, Bucharest (P2) and the co-funding company - Hofigal S.A., Bucharest (P3).

The overall objective of this proposal is to design and synthesise advanced and functional nanocarrier systems based on plant oils (e.g. hemp oil, linseed oil, safflower oil, wheat germ oil) and co-loaded with selective natural extracts (e.g. marigold extract, carrot extract, charyte extract), and to explore their efficiency in the development of bio-cosmetic products exhibiting multiple dermato-cosmetic properties and safety of use. The multiple co-encapsulation in suitable bio-compatible nanocarriers and the testing of their applicability (through specific in vitro and in vivo tests), represents a significant progress in both research fields - bio-nanotechnology and dermato-cosmetics. This overall objective will be achieved through the implementation of the following specific objectives proposed for the 5 Work Packages of the project:

I. Rational selection of bioactive plant oils in order to obtain bio-compatible lipid nanocarriers able to co-incapsulate phytocomplexes.

II. Determination of the optimal synthesis conditions for the efficient co-incapsulation of two types of selective natural extracts, based on appropriate correlations between lipid core types-surfactant mixture-bioactive plant oil.

III. Adaptation of biocompatible lipidic nanocarrier models based on vegetable oils as host matrices for obtaining an adequate sustained release of natural compounds present in phytochemical extracts.

IV. Demonstration of the ability and functionality of synthesised biocompatible lipidic nanocarriers co-incapsulating different plant extracts in the development of new bio-cosmetic prototypes, by in vitro and in vivo evaluation of their cosmetic and pharmaceutical efficacy.

V. Development of biocosmetic prototypes for the treatment of dermatological disorders.

VI. Implementation of two safe and efficient bio dermato-cosmetic products, with simultaneous anti-acne, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, on the Romanian market by transferring the biotechnology from laboratory to pilot scale.

VII. Realisation of the scientific and economic documentation for implementation on the Romanian market.

The research results will lead to the development of 2 advanced bio-cosmetic products possessing a broad spectrum of efficacy due to the high content of natural compounds existing in the same particle, which can compensate and even improve the specific properties of synthetic drugs with reported side effects.

The entire research developed in the project starts from the complex approach of bio-nano-technology used for the processing of indigenous plant sources, goes through complex activities that cross multidisciplinary scientific branches and reaches the target objective of "safe and effective bio-cosmetic products".