Resveratrol encapsulation in core-shell biopolymer nanoparticles: Impact on antioxidant and anticancer activities

Co-Encapsulation of Tannic Acid and Resveratrol in Zein/Pectin Nanoparticles: Stability, Antioxidant Activity, and Bioaccessibility

Hydrophilic tannic acid and hydrophobic resveratrol were successfully co-encapsulated in zein nanoparticles prepared using antisolvent precipitation and then coated with pectin by electrostatic deposition. The encapsulation efficiencies of the tannic acid and resveratrol were 51.5 ± 1.9% and 77.2 ± 3.2%, respectively. The co-encapsulated nanoparticles were stable against aggregation at the investigated pH range of 2.0 to 8.0 when heated at 80 °C for 2 h and when the NaCl concentration was below 50 mM. The co-encapsulated tannic acid and resveratrol exhibited stronger in vitro antioxidant activity than ascorbic acid, as determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH·) and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylberizothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS+·) scavenging assays. The polyphenols-loaded nanoparticles significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in peroxide-treated human hepatoma cells (HepG2). An in vitro digestion model was used to study the gastrointestinal fate of the nanoparticles. In the stomach, encapsulation inhibited tannic acid release, but promoted resveratrol release. However, in the small intestine, it led to a relatively high bioaccessibility of 76% and 100% for resveratrol and tannic acid, respectively. These results suggest that pectin-coated zein nanoparticles have the potential for the co-encapsulation of both polar and nonpolar nutraceuticals or drugs.

Oxidized Chitin Nanocrystals Greatly Strengthen the Stability of Resveratrol-Loaded Gliadin Nanoparticles

Resveratrol (RES) is a natural polyphenol with a variety of health beneficial properties, but its application is greatly limited due to low aqueous solubility and poor bioavailability. This study aims to address these issues via gliadin nanoparticles stabilized with oxidized chitin nanocrystals (O-ChNCs) as a delivery system for RES. RES-loaded gliadin nanoparticles (GRNPs) were fabricated by an antisolvent method, and their formation mechanism was elucidated using zeta-potential, FTIR, XRD, and TEM. Furthermore, the effect of O-ChNCs on the colloidal stability and bioactiveness of GRNPs was discussed. The results demonstrate that O-ChNCs are adsorbed onto the surface of GRNPs through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, leading to the enhanced absolute potential and the improved hydrophobicity of the particles, which in turn facilitates the stability of the GRNPs. Furthermore, the changes in the release profile and antioxidant activity of RES in the simulated gastric and intestinal tracts indicate that the adsorption of O-ChNCs not only delays the release of RES but also has a protective effect on the antioxidant capacity of RES. This study provides significant implications for developing stable gliadin nanoparticles as delivery vehicles for bioactive substances.

Role of Nanotechnology in Overcoming the Multidrug Resistance in Cancer Therapy: A Review

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality around the globe and is likely to become the major cause of global death in the coming years. As per World Health Organization (WHO) report, every year there are over 10 and 9 million new cases and deaths from this disease. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are the three basic approaches to treating cancer. These approaches are aiming at eradicating all cancer cells with minimum off-target effects on other cell types. Most drugs have serious adverse effects due to the lack of target selectivity. On the other hand, resistance to already available drugs has emerged as a major obstacle in cancer chemotherapy, allowing cancer to proliferate irrespective of the chemotherapeutic agent. Consequently, it leads to multidrug resistance (MDR), a growing concern in the scientific community. To overcome this problem, in recent years, nanotechnology-based drug therapies have been explored and have shown great promise in overcoming resistance, with most nano-based drugs being explored at the clinical level. Through this review, we try to explain various mechanisms involved in multidrug resistance in cancer and the role nanotechnology has played in overcoming or reversing this resistance.

In Vitro Evaluation of Kaempferol-Loaded Hydrogel as pH-Sensitive Drug Delivery Systems

The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate kaempferol-loaded carbopol polymer (acrylic acid) hydrogel, investigate its antioxidant activity in vitro, and compare the effects on drug release under different pH conditions. Drug release studies were conducted in three different pH media (pH 3.4, 5.4, and 7.4). The kaempferol-loaded hydrogel was prepared by using carbopol 934 as the hydrogel matrix. The morphology and viscosity of the preparation were tested to understand the fluidity of the hydrogel. The antioxidant activity of the preparation was studied by scavenging hydrogen peroxide and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) radicals in vitro and inhibiting the production of malondialdehyde in mouse tissues. The results showed that kaempferol and its preparations had high antioxidant activity. In vitro release studies showed that the drug release at pH 3.4, 5.4, and 7.4 was 27.32 ± 3.49%, 70.89 ± 8.91%, and 87.9 ± 10.13%, respectively. Kaempferol-loaded carbopol hydrogel displayed greater swelling and drug release at higher pH values (pH 7.4).

Development of self-assembled zein-fucoidan complex nanoparticles as a delivery system for resveratrol

Resveratrol is a well-studied dietary polyphenol with diverse health-promoting bioactivities. However, the aqueous insolubility and chemical instability of resveratrol hamper its practical application. This study set out to address these limitations by constructing zein-fucoidan composite nanoparticles as a delivery system of resveratrol. The optimized resveratrol-loaded zein-fucoidan particles (RE-ZFP) were obtained at zein-to-fucoidan ratio of 2:1 (w/w) and zein-to-resveratrol ratio of 10:1 (w/w), and RE-ZFP showed evenly distributed and smoothly spherical microstructures, mean particle size of 121 nm, ζ-potential of - 41 mV, encapsulation efficiency for resveratrol of 95.4%. Electrostatic, steric, hydrophobic, and hydrogen-bonding interactions were major forces required to form RE-ZFP. In addition, RE-ZFP exhibited greater photostability and colloidal stability (including pH, ionic, and storage stabilities) than resveratrol-loaded zein particles (RE-ZP). Particularly, RE-ZFP showed fairly good pH stability. Moreover, zein-fucoidan-based delivery system exhibited a controlled release of resveratrol under in vitro digestion. Finally, zein-fucoidan nanocarriers presented extremely low cytotoxicity to HIEC-6 cells. All the findings demonstrate that the zein-fucoidan nanoparticles developed in the current work will be a prospective strategy for loading resveratrol and other hydrophobic bioactive ingredients and thus extending their application in nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals.

Nano-enabled plant-based colloidal delivery systems for bioactive agents in foods: Design, formulation, and application

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of their dietary choices on the environment, animal welfare, and health, which is causing many of them to adopt more plant-based diets. For this reason, many sectors of the food industry are reformulating their products to contain more plant-based ingredients. This article describes recent research on the formation and application of nano-enabled colloidal delivery systems formulated from plant-based ingredients, such as polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and phospholipids. These delivery systems include nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoliposomes, nanophytosomes, and biopolymer nanoparticles. The composition, size, structure, and charge of the particles in these delivery systems can be manipulated to create novel or improved functionalities, such as improved robustness, higher optical clarity, controlled release, and increased bioavailability. There have been major advances in the design, assembly, and application of plant-based edible nanoparticles within the food industry over the past decade or so. As a result, there are now a wide range of different options available for creating delivery systems for specific applications. In the future, it will be important to establish whether these formulations can be produced using economically viable methods and provide the desired functionality in real-life applications.

Nanoencapsulation of Thyme Essential Oils: Formulation, Characterization, Storage Stability, and Biological Activity

This study aimed to improve the effectiveness of Thymus capitatus and Thymus algeriensis essential oils (EOs), as food preservatives, through their encapsulation in different delivery systems (DSs), namely nanoemulsions and biopolymeric nanoparticles. DSs’ preparation is tailored to enhance not only physical stability but also resulting Eos’ antioxidant and antibacterial activities through different fabrication methods (high-pressure homogenization emulsification or antisolvent precipitation) and using different emulsifiers and stabilizers. DSs are characterized in terms of droplet size distribution, ζ-potential, and stability over time, as well as antioxidant and antibacterial activities of encapsulated EOs. The antioxidant activity was studied by the FRAP assay; the antibacterial activity was evaluated by the well diffusion method. EOs of different compositions were tested, namely two EOs extracted from Thymus capitatus, harvested from Tunisia during different periods of the year (TC1 and TC2), and one EO extracted from Thymus algeriensis (TA). The composition of TC1 was significantly richer in carvacrol than TC2 and TA. The most stable formulation was the zein-based nanoparticles prepared with TC1 and stabilized with maltodextrins, which exhibit droplet size, polydispersity index, ζ-potential, and encapsulation efficiency of 74.7 nm, 0.14, 38.7 mV, and 99.66%, respectively. This formulation led also to an improvement in the resulting antioxidant (60.69 µg/mg vs. 57.67 µg/mg for non-encapsulated TC1) and antibacterial (inhibition diameters varying between 12 and 33 mm vs. a range between 12 and 28 mm for non-encapsulated TC1) activities of EO. This formulation offers a promising option for the effective use of natural antibacterial bioactive molecules in the food industry against pathogenic and spoilage bacteria.

Soy lipophilic protein self-assembled by pH-shift combined with heat treatment: Structure, hydrophobic resveratrol encapsulation, emulsification, and digestion

This study evaluates the effect of pH (pH 3 and 11) and heat treatment (60 °C) in modifying the soybean lipophilic protein (LP) for the development of an encapsulation system to co-deliver resveratrol (Res) and vitamin D3. The structural and functional properties of LP after the modification will change to varying degrees. Meanwhile, Res was loaded into the hydrophobic core of LP, and the resulting Res-loaded structures have a uniform particle size distribution and a high encapsulation efficiency (78%). When the amount of Res encapsulation increases, the emulsification and oxidation resistance of the Pickering emulsion increased; the interfacial tension and interfacial protein adsorption increased to 11.21 mN/m and 97.34%, respectively. During simulated gastrointestinal digestion, the Pickering emulsion prepared with LP-Res nanoparticles at pH 11, 60 °C (pH 11, 60 °C-LP-Res) effectively protected Res and vitamin D3 from degradation or precipitation, indicating a significant increase in bioavailability.

Solid Dispersions Incorporated into PVP Films for the Controlled Release of Trans-Resveratrol: Development, Physicochemical and In Vitro Characterizations and In Vivo Cutaneous Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation

Trans-resveratrol can promote various dermatological effects. However, its high crystallinity decreases its solubility and bioavailability. Therefore, solid dispersions have been developed to promote its amorphization; even so, they present as powders, making cutaneous controlled drug delivery unfeasible and an alternative necessary for their incorporation into other systems. Thus, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) films were chosen with the aim of developing a controlled delivery system to treat inflammation and bacterial infections associated with atopic dermatitis. Four formulations were developed: two with solid dispersions (and trans-resveratrol) and two as controls. The films presented with uniformity, as well as bioadhesive and good barrier properties. X-ray diffraction showed that trans-resveratrol did not recrystallize. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermal analysis evidenced good chemical compatibilities. The in vitro release assay showed release values from 82.27 ± 2.60 to 92.81 ± 2.50% (being a prolonged release). In the in vitro retention assay, trans-resveratrol was retained in the skin, over 24 h, from 42.88 to 53.28%. They also had low cytotoxicity over fibroblasts. The in vivo assay showed a reduction in inflammation up to 66%. The films also avoided Staphylococcus aureus’s growth, which worsens atopic dermatitis. According to the results, the developed system is suitable for drug delivery and capable of simultaneously treating inflammation and infections related to atopic dermatitis.

Review on the Regulation of Plant Polyphenols on the Stability of Polyunsaturated-Fatty-Acid-Enriched Emulsions: Partitioning Kinetic and Interfacial Engineering

The plant polyphenols are normally presented as natural functional antioxidants, which also possess the potential ability to improve the physicochemical stability of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched emulsions by interface engineering. This review discussed the potential effects of polyphenols on the stability of PUFA-enriched emulsions from the perspective of the molecular thermodynamic antioxidative analysis, the kinetic of interfacial partitioning, and the covalent and non-covalent interactions with emulsifiers. Recently, research studies have proven that the interfacial structure of emulsions can be concurrently optimized via promoting interfacial partitioning of polyphenols and further increasing interfacial thickness and strength. Moreover, the applied limitations of polyphenols in PUFA-enriched emulsions were summarized, and then some valuable and constructive viewpoints were put forward in this review to provide guidance for the use of polyphenols in constructing PUFA-enriched emulsions.

A review of factors affecting the stability of zein-based nanoparticles loaded with bioactive compounds: from construction to application

Zein-based nanoparticles loaded with bioactive compounds have positive prospects in the food industry, but an important limiting factor for development is colloidal instability. Currently, extensive researches are focused on solving the instability of zein nanoparticles, but since the beginning of the studies, there has not been a summary of the factors affecting the stability of zein-based nanoparticles. In the present work, the factors were reviewed comprehensively from the perspective of carrier construction and application evaluation. The former mainly includes type, quantity, and characteristics of biopolymer, the mass ratio of biopolymer/bioactive compound to zein, blending sequence of biopolymer, and location of encapsulated bioactive compounds. The latter mainly includes pH, heating, ionic strength, storage, freeze-drying, and gastrointestinal digestion. The former is the prerequisite for the success of the latter. The challenge is that stability research is limited to the laboratory level, and it is difficult to ensure that the stability results are suitable for commercial food matrices due to their complexity. At the laboratory level, the future trends are the influence of external energy and the cross-complexity and uniformity of stability research. The review is expected to provide systematic understanding and guidance for the development of zein-based nanoparticles stability.

Maillard-Type Protein-Polysaccharide Conjugates and Electrostatic Protein-Polysaccharide Complexes as Delivery Vehicles for Food Bioactive Ingredients: Formation, Types, and Applications

Due to their combination of featured properties, protein and polysaccharide-based carriers show promising potential in food bioactive ingredient encapsulation, protection, and delivery. The formation of protein–polysaccharide complexes and conjugates involves non-covalent interactions and covalent interaction, respectively. The common types of protein–polysaccharide complex/conjugate-based bioactive ingredient delivery systems include emulsion (conventional emulsion, nanoemulsion, multiple emulsion, multilayered emulsion, and Pickering emulsion), microcapsule, hydrogel, and nanoparticle-based delivery systems. This review highlights the applications of protein–polysaccharide-based delivery vehicles in common bioactive ingredients including polyphenols, food proteins, bioactive peptides, carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals. The loaded food bioactive ingredients exhibited enhanced physicochemical stability, bioaccessibility, and sustained release in simulated gastrointestinal digestion. However, limited research has been conducted in determining the in vivo oral bioavailability of encapsulated bioactive compounds. An in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion model incorporating gut microbiota and a mucus layer is suggested for future studies.

The effect of testosterone and antioxidants nanoliposomes on gene expressions and sperm parameters in asthenospermic individuals

BACKGROUND

antioxidants that used for the infertility treatment cannot have their complete effectiveness, because of their instability in the culture medium.

SIGNIFICANCE

one of the most advances, in the drug delivery systems, is nanoliposomes-loaded, as biodegradable and bioavailable carriers. Hormonal and antioxidant agents encapsulating inside the nanoliposomes were used, to increase the effectiveness of antioxidants in the sperm culture medium.

MATERIALS

Semen sample from 15 asthenospermia were divided into 10 equal parts. After preparation, the sperms were incubated with free form of drugs and nanocarriers contained resveratrol, catalase, resveratrol-catalase and testosterone for 45 min. All sperm parameters, sperm DNA and gene expressions were evaluated before and after freezing.

RESULTS

Before freezing, all nanocarriers and free testosterone showed higher sperm motility compared to free drugs (P=.000). Free Testosterone and free resveratrol-catalase had higher DNA damage compared to nanocarriers (P=.000). Before freezing, the blank nanoliposome and testosterone nanoliposomes had the lowest HSP70 gene expression respectively (P = 0.005) (P = 0.001). After freezing, a significant reduction in sperm motility was observed in the free resveratrol-catalase group (P=.003). Also, a significant increase in sperm viability was observed in the free testosterone and nanoliposomes of blank and testosterone (P > 0.05). The least DNA damage was related to catalase nanoliposomes (P=.000). All nanoliposomes, especially catalase, had the highest percentage of class I morphology compared to the control group (P=.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Nanoliposomes could improve the sperm parameters and DNA integrity before and after freezing, by increasing the effectiveness of antioxidants. So, it can be recommended in the ART lab.

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Dependent Disassembly and Reassembly of Soybean Lipophilic Protein Nanoparticles: An Environmentally Friendly Nanocarrier for Resveratrol

The development of protein-based nanocarriers to improve the water solubility, stability, and bioavailability of hydrophobic or poorly soluble bioactive molecules has attracted increasing interest in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, a network-like nanostructure of soybean lipophilic protein (LP) was obtained through sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-dependent decomposition and recombination. This nanostructure served as an excellent nanocarrier for resveratrol (Res), a poorly soluble biologically active molecule. The structure of LP gradually decomposed into its independent subunits at SDS concentrations ≤5% (w/v). After the removal of SDS, the dissociated subunits partially reassembled into a fibrous network-like nanostructure in which the Res molecules were encapsulated, and they preferentially interacted with the hydrophobic subunits (α and α' subunits and the 24 kDa subunit) of the protein. This system exhibited a high encapsulation efficiency (95.93%), high water solubility (85.29%), extraordinary oxidation resistance (DPPH radical scavenging activity of 67.1%), and improved Res digestibility (78.7%).

A comparative study of optimized naringenin nanoformulations using nano-carriers (PLA/PVA and zein/pectin) for improvement of bioavailability

Naringenin, a lipophilic flavanone of citrus fruits, was encapsulated for enhanced bioavailability using biodegradable polymers of polylactic acid/polyvinyl alcohol (PLA/PVA) as well as zein/pectin as P/P-Nar-NPs and Z/P-Nar-NPs, respectively. The formulation variables were optimized using response surface methodology to achieve smaller particle size with higher surface charge and encapsulation efficiencies. The optimized formulations were physically characterized by SEM, FTIR, TGA and XRD techniques. Compared to Z/P-Nar-NPs, the P/P-Nar-NPs had better encapsulation efficiency and sustained release of naringenin under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Furthermore, the oral administration of single dose of free and nanoforms of naringenin in rats (90 mg/kg b.wt) showed higher efficacy of PLA/PVA in improving the relative bioavailability of naringenin (4.7-fold) as compared to the zein/pectin polymer (1.9-fold). Overall, the present study provides insights into the formulation performance of the encapsulated bioactive compound under different polymeric matrices.

Resveratrol-loaded chitosan-pectin core-shell nanoparticles as novel drug delivery vehicle for sustained release and improved antioxidant activities

Resveratrol, chemically known as 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene, is a natural polyphenol with promising multi-targeted health benefits. The optimal therapeutic uses of resveratrol are limited due to its poor solubility, rapid metabolism and low bioavailability. To address the issues, we have encapsulated resveratrol inside the nanosized core made of chitosan and coated this core with pectin-shell in order to fabricate a drug delivery vehicle which can entrap resveratrol for a longer period of time. The core-shell nanoparticles fabricated in this way were characterized with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, field-emission scanning electron microscope, field-emission transmission electron microscopy/selected area electron diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements. In vitro drug release study showed the ability of the core-shell nanoparticles to provide sustained release of resveratrol for almost 30 h. The release efficiency of the drug was found to be pH dependent, and a sequential control over drug release can be obtained by varying the shell thickness. The resveratrol encapsulated in a nanocarrier was found to have a better in vitro antioxidant activity than free resveratrol as determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. This work finally offers a novel nano-based drug delivery system.

Establishment and Characterization of Stable Zein/Glycosylated Lactoferrin Nanoparticles to Enhance the Storage Stability and in vitro Bioaccessibility of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone

In this work, the lactoferrin (LF) was glycosylated by dextran (molecular weight 10, 40, and 70 kDa, LF 10K, LF 40K, and LF 70K) via Maillard reaction as a stabilizer to establish zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles and encapsulate 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF). Three zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles (79.27–87.24 nm) with low turbidity (<0.220) and polydispersity index (PDI) (<0.230) were successfully established by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. Compared with zein/LF nanoparticles, zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles further increased stability to ionic strength (0–500 mM NaCl) at low pH conditions. Zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles had nanoscale spherical shape and glycosylated LF changed surface morphology of zein nanoparticles. Besides, encapsulated 7,8-DHF exhibited an amorphous state inside zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles. Most importantly, zein/glycosylated LF nanoparticles had good water redispersibility, high encapsulation efficiency (above 98.50%), favorable storage stability, and bioaccessibility for 7,8-DHF, particularly LF 40K. Collectively, the above research provides a theoretical reference for the application of zein-based delivery systems.

Enhancing bioaccessibility of resveratrol by loading in natural porous starch microparticles

Resveratrol (RSV) is a lipophilic polyphenol susceptible to photo- and thermal degradation, and strategies are to be studied to enable its distribution in food matrices, prevent its degradation during storage, and increase its bioaccessibility during digestion. In this study, the porous matrix of natural starch, in the form of milled freeze-dried potato microparticles (FDPMs), was studied as an absorbent to load RSV. The binary solvent of ethanol and polyethylene glycol 400 (40:60 v/v) was used to dissolve 30% w/v RSV for diffusion into FDPMs. After ethanol was evaporated, the loading capacity was 112 mg RSV/g FDPMs and was maintained at 104 mg RSV/g FDPMs (92.9% retention) after 110-day ambient storage. The RSV stability under UV irradiation at 253 nm was improved by 32% due to shielding effect of FDPMs, and the ferric reducing power was 25% higher than the pristine RSV. The release of RSV in FDPMs was significantly higher than pristine RSV during simulated gastric and intestinal digestions (82.3% vs 51.4% bioaccessibility). The increased reducing power and bioaccessibility were supported by the amorphous state of RSV in FDPMs. The present study illustrates the potential of porous vegetable microparticles as natural matrices to load lipophilic bioactive compounds in functional foods.

SCLAREIN (SCLAREol contained in zeIN) nanoparticles: Development and characterization of an innovative natural nanoformulation

Sclareol is a labdane diterpene which carries on a broad range of biological activities. However, its poor water solubility and bioavailability are the foremost drawbacks that limit its application in therapeutics. The purpose of this investigation was to develop a natural nanoformulation made up of a biopolymer i.e. zein and sclareol in order to address this issue and to enhance the pharmacological efficacy of the drug. The sclarein nanoparticles (sclareol-loaded zein nanosystems) showed a typical monomodal pattern, characterized by a mean diameter of ~120 nm, a narrow size distribution and a surface charge of ~-30 mV. The evaluation of the entrapment efficiency and the drug-loading capacity of the nanosystems demonstrated the noteworthy ability of the protein matrix to hold sclareol while allowing a gradual release of the compound over time. The nanosystems increased the cytotoxicity of sclareol at a drug concentration of ≥5 μM with respect to the free compound after just 24 h incubation against various cancer cell lines. Indeed, the interaction of tritiated sclarein formulations with cells showed a time-dependent cell uptake of the nanosystems commencing as early as 1 h from the onset of incubation, favouring a significant decrease of the efficacious concentration of the drug.

Preparation of ultra-long stable ovalbumin/sodium carboxymethylcellulose nanoparticle and loading properties of curcumin

OVA (ovalbumin)/CMC (sodium carboxymethylcellulose) nanoparticles are prepared by combining complex coacervation and thermal induction. The effect of different parameters on stability of OVA/CMC nanoparticles (different ratios, pH, temperature, salt concentration and storage time) is investigated. And then the loading and stabilizing mechanism of particles on curcumin are further analyzed. After heating, OVA and CMC in particle could further cross-linking and a highly salt-tolerant and ultra-long stable nanoparticle can be formed. OVA/CMC nanoparticle with the loose structure of wool ball could effectively load curcumin with the loading content and loading efficiency of 36.40 and 95.40%, 36.30 and 92.82%, 36.0 and 94.48% for the ratios of 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1, respectively. Curcumin-loaded of OVA/CMC nanoparticles show good DPPH· scavenging activity, Ferric-reducing ability and ABTS⁺ scavenging activity compared with curcumin/water. The results can be useful for designing food and beverage particle with improving bioactive substances functional properties.

In vivo and in vitro comparison of three astilbin encapsulated zein nanoparticles with different outer shells

Three shell materials, lecithin (ZNP-L), chitosan (ZNP-CH) and sodium caseinate (ZNP-SC), were used to prepare core-shell zein nanoparticles. Astilbin was encapsulated as a model flavonoid to compare the influence of the shell materials on zein nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo. The particle size was moderately increased by lecithin and sodium caseinate, but notably increased by chitosan. All the shell materials provided good redispersibility for the nanoparticles and significantly improved the colloidal stability. Chitosan and sodium caseinate significantly delayed and decreased the feces excretion of astilbin in rats, while lecithin exhibited a very weak effect. The results may be attributed to the difference in mucoadhesive properties between the shell materials. As a consequence, the bioavailability values of astilbin in rats were 18.2, 9.3 and 1.89 times increased through ZNP-CH, ZNP-SC and ZNP-L compared with that of free astilbin, respectively.

Resveratrol-Loaded Levan Nanoparticles Produced by Electrohydrodynamic Atomization Technique

Considering the significant advances in nanostructured systems in various biomedical applications and the escalating need for levan-based nanoparticles as delivery systems, this study aimed to fabricate levan nanoparticles by the electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) technique. The hydrolyzed derivative of levan polysaccharide from Halomonas smyrnensis halophilic bacteria, hydrolyzed Halomonas levan (hHL), was used. Nanoparticles were obtained by optimizing the EHDA parameters and then they were characterized in terms of morphology, molecular interactions, drug release and cell culture studies. The optimized hHL and resveratrol (RS)-loaded hHL nanoparticles were monodisperse and had smooth surfaces. The particle diameter size of hHL nanoparticles was 82.06 ± 15.33 nm. Additionally, release of RS from the fabricated hHL nanoparticles at different pH conditions were found to follow the first-order release model and hHL with higher RS loading showed a more gradual release. In vitro biocompatibility assay with human dermal fibroblast cell lines was performed and cell behavior on coated surfaces was observed. Nanoparticles were found to be safe for healthy cells. Consequently, the fabricated hHL-based nanoparticle system may have potential use in drug delivery systems for wound healing and tissue engineering applications and surfaces could be coated with these electrosprayed particles to improve cellular interaction.

Resveratrol-Based Nanoformulations as an Emerging Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic stilbene derivative widely present in grapes and red wine. Broadly known for its antioxidant effects, numerous studies have also indicated that it exerts anti-inflammatory and antiaging abilities and a great potential in cancer therapy. Regrettably, the oral administration of resveratrol has pharmacokinetic and physicochemical limitations such as hampering its effects so that effective administration methods are demanding to ensure its efficiency. Thus, the present review explores the published data on the application of resveratrol nanoformulations in cancer therapy, with the use of different types of nanodelivery systems. Mechanisms of action with a potential use in cancer therapy, negative effects, and the influence of resveratrol nanoformulations in different types of cancer are also highlighted. Finally, the toxicological features of nanoresveratrol are also discussed.

Interactions of the molecular assembly of polysaccharide-protein systems as encapsulation materials. A review

Studying the interactions of biopolymers like polysaccharides and proteins is quite important mainly due to the wide number of applications such as the stabilization and encapsulation of active compounds in complex systems. Complexation takes place when materials like proteins and polysaccharides are blended to promote the entrapment of active compounds. The interaction forces between the charged groups in the polymeric chains allow the miscibility of the components in the complex system. Understanding the interactions taking place between the polymers as well as between the wall material and the active compound is important when designing delivery systems. However, some features of the biopolymers like structure, functional groups, or electrical charge as well as extrinsic parameters like pH or ratios might affect the structure and the performance of the complex system when used in encapsulation applications. This work summarizes the recent progress of the polysaccharide/protein complexes for encapsulation and the influence of the pH on the structural modifications during the complexation process.

Advances in the development of biopolymeric adsorbents for the extraction of metabolites from nutraceuticals with emphasis on Solanaceae and subsequent pharmacological applications

Biopolymers are renowned for their sustainable, biodegradable, biocompatible and most of them have antitoxic characteristics. These versatile naturally derived compounds include proteins, polynucleotides (RNA and DNA) and polysaccharides. Cellulose and chitosan are the most abundant polysaccharides. Proteins and polysaccharides have been applied as emulsifiers. Additional applications of proteins and polysaccharides include cosmetics, food and wastewater treatment for adsorption of dyes and pesticides. However, more interesting applications of biopolymers are emerging, such as use in transport systems for delivery of plant derived nutraceuticals to sites of inflammation, due to its inherent ability to immobilize different biological and chemical systems. This review aims to give a summary on new trends and complement what is already known in the development of polysaccharides and proteins as adsorbents of nutraceutical compounds. The application of polysaccharides/protein containing the adsorbed Solanum derived nutraceutical compounds for drug deliveryis also reviewed.

The construction of resveratrol-loaded protein-polysaccharide-tea saponin complex nanoparticles for controlling physicochemical stability and in vitro digestion

The novel zein-propylene glycol alginate (PGA) -tea saponin (TS) ternary complex nanoparticles were fabricated to deliver resveratrol. TS was firstly introduced to modulate the functional attributes, microstructure, molecular interactions and gastrointestinal digestion of the complex nanoparticles. The size of zein-PGA-TS complex nanoparticles was between 281.9 and 309.7 nm. In the presence of TS, the encapsulation efficiency of resveratrol was significantly elevated from 58.43% to 85.58%. The environmental stability of resveratrol was improved through entrapping into the complex nanoparticles with the rise in TS proportion. Multiple spectroscopic methods revealed that TS altered the micro-environment and secondary structure of the protein. Hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic effects and electrostatic interactions contributed to the formation of complex nanoparticles. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed the amorphous nature of the encapsulated resveratrol. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) confirmed the globular shape of the nanoparticles and their different aggregation states were dependent on the particle compositions. Moreover, the zein-PGA-TS complex nanoparticles exhibited the best sustained release in the small intestine when the mass ratio of zein to TS was 5 : 1 (23.20% in the stomach and 63.11% in the small intestine). These findings indicated the influence of TS on the properties and applications of the protein-polysaccharide complexes, which provided a new insight into the development of novel food grade nanoparticles with desirable stability and digestion behaviour.

In vitro antioxidant and antitumor study of zein/SHA nanoparticles loaded with resveratrol

Resveratrol (RES) loaded Zein-SHA (low-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate) nanoparticles with average diameter of about 152.13 nm and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.122, which can be used to encapsulate, protect and deliver resveratrol. By measuring ABTS free radical scavenging ability and iron (III) reducing power, it was determined that encapsulated resveratrol has higher in vitro antioxidant activity than free resveratrol. When tested with murine breast cancer cells 4T1, the encapsulated resveratrol also showed higher antiproliferative activity than free resveratrol, with IC50 values of 14.73 and 17.84 μg/ml, respectively. The colloidal form of resveratrol developed in this research may be particularly suitable for functional foods and beverages, as well as dietary supplements and pharmaceutical products.

Dioscin-loaded zein nanoparticles alleviate lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury via the microRNA-let 7i signalling pathways

The present study investigates the potential role of dioscin (DIO) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced kidney injury. For this purpose, DIO-loaded zein nanoparticles (DIO-ZNPs) were formulated and evaluated for physicochemical parameters. The DIO-ZNPs exhibited a controlled release of drug compared with that of the free drug suspension. Results showed that the cell viability of NRK-52E consistently decreased with the increase in LPS from 0.01 µg/ml to 2 µg/ml. When compared with LPS, DIO-induced NPs showed 1.10-, 1.32-, 1.57- and 1.92-fold increase in the cell viability for concentrations of 20 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml and 200 µg/ml, respectively. DIO-ZNPs exhibited the most remarkable recovery in the cell proliferation compared with free DIO as shown by the cellular morphology analysis. Furthermore, Annexin-V staining analysis showed that the LPS-treated cells possess the lowest green fluorescence indicating fewer viable cells, whereas DIO-ZNPs exhibited the maximum green fluorescence comparable with that of the non-treated cells indicating maximum cell viability. Furthermore, the results show that DIO-ZNPs significantly increased the expression of miR-let-7i in the epithelial kidney cells, whereas the expression levels of TLR4 were significantly downregulated compared with that of the LPS-treated cells. In conclusion, miR-let-7i could be an interesting therapeutic target and nanoparticle-based DIO could be a potential candidate in the management of acute kidney injury.

Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles from Plant Proteins

Nanoparticles from plant proteins are preferred over carbohydrates and synthetic polymeric-based materials for food, medical and other applications. In addition to their large availability and relatively low cost, plant proteins offer higher possibilities for surface modifications and functionalizing various biomolecules for specific applications. Plant proteins also avoid the immunogenic responses associated with the use of animal proteins. However, the sources of plant proteins are very diverse, and proteins from each source have distinct structures, properties and processing requirements. While proteins from corn (zein) and wheat (gliadin) are soluble in aqueous ethanol, most other plant proteins are insoluble in aqueous conditions. Apart from zein and gliadin nanoparticles (which are relatively easy to prepare), soy proteins, wheat glutenin and proteins from several legumes have been made into nanoparticles. The extraction of soluble proteins, hydrolyzing with alkali and acids, conjugation with other biopolymers, and newer techniques such as microfluidization and electrospraying have been adopted to develop plant protein nanoparticles. Solid, hollow, and core-shell nanoparticles with varying sizes and physical and chemical properties have been developed. Most plant protein nanoparticles have been used as carriers for drugs and as biomolecules for controlled release applications and for stabilizing food emulsions. This review provides an overview of the approaches used to prepare nanoparticles from plant proteins, and their properties and potential applications. The review's specific focus is on the preparation methods and applications, rather than the properties of the proteins, which have been reported in detail in other publications.

Innovative Delivery Systems Loaded with Plant Bioactive Ingredients: Formulation Approaches and Applications

Plants constitute a rich source of diverse classes of valuable phytochemicals (e.g., phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids) with proven biological activity (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, etc.). However, factors such as low stability, poor solubility and bioavailability limit their food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications. In this regard, a wide range of delivery systems have been developed to increase the stability of plant-derived bioactive compounds upon processing, storage or under gastrointestinal digestion conditions, to enhance their solubility, to mask undesirable flavors as well as to efficiently deliver them to the target tissues where they can exert their biological activity and promote human health. In the present review, the latest advances regarding the design of innovative delivery systems for pure plant bioactive compounds, extracts or essential oils, in order to overcome the above-mentioned challenges, are presented. Moreover, a broad spectrum of applications along with future trends are critically discussed.