NANOTECHNOLOGY-BASED DELIVERY OF PHYTOCHEMICALS: APPLICATIONS IN MODERN PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH

Abstract

Phytochemicals are of great interest in pharmaceutical research due to their wide range of biological activities, but often their application is hindered by poor water solubility, chemical instability, and low bioavailability. The tools of nanotechnology provide potential solutions to formulation, stability and controlled release problems. The aim of this study was to assess a model poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle system for; physicochemical characterization of the model system; in-vitro release analysis; antioxidant activity evaluation; and cellular compatibility evaluation. The mean particle diameter of the formulation was 168.4 ± 6.2 nm with a PDI of 0.19 ± 0.03 and a zeta potential of −24.6 ± 2.1 mV. Encapsulation efficiency and the drug loading were 89.2 ± 2.4% and 8.6 ± 0.7%, respectively. The release profile showed a steady release of curcumin over 24 hours with 86% release for curcumin nanoparticles and 97% release for free curcumin. Curcumin loaded nanoparticles showed lower estimated antioxidant IC₅₀ as compared to the free curcumins indicating higher apparent radical scavenging activity under the evaluated conditions. The concentration-dependent nature of the viability of the cells was observed in the cellular viability assessment, and higher viability was observed in the nanoparticle group at high concentrations. In summary, these results demonstrate the possibility to combine physicochemical, release and biological parameters to assess phytochemical nanocarriers.