New Insights of Turmeric Extract-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles: Development, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity

• DOI: 10.1007/s11130-021-00929-0
• Publication Date: 2021-10-30T13:02:38Z
• Authors: Camila Maria Gonz...; Luciana Facco Dal...; Kátia Aparecida d...; Natália Bueno Lei...; Renata Fonseca Vi...; Jeferson Aparecid...; Kélin Schwarz
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Curcuma; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Plant Extracts; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Antioxidants

Here, we presented new insights of the development of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles containing turmeric compounds (turmeric-PLGA-NPs) using emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The nanoparticulate system was characterized by size, zeta potential, morphology, release profile, partition parameter, stability and encapsulation efficiency (%EE). Antioxidant activity studies were also evaluated. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model (Mt/M∞ vs. t) was used to determine the release mechanisms of the studied system. Our results demonstrated the emulsion-solvent evaporation method was shown advantageous for producing turmeric-PLGA-NPs in the range of 145 nm with high homogeneity in size distribution, zeta potential of -21.8 mV and %EE about 72%. Nanoparticles were stable over a period of one month. In vitro study showed a release of curcumin governed by diffusion and relaxation of the polymeric matrix. The partition parameter of the extract in relation to blank-PLGA-NPs was 0.111 ± 0.008 M-1, indicating a low affinity of curcumin for the polymer matrix. Antioxidant ability of the turmeric-PLGA-NPs in scavenging the radical 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) was inferior to free turmeric extract and showed a concentration and time-dependent profile. The study concluded that PLGA nanoparticles are potential carriers for turmeric extract delivery.