Preparation and Characterization of Curcumin-Loaded Chicken White Egg Polyelectrolyte Nanoparticles to Reduce Inflammation
摘要
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential biological components that play a critical role in the initiation and progression of an inflammatory reaction. In recent years, there has been an interest in nanocarriers for medicine and pharmaceutical delivery systems to treat inflammatory disorders caused by ROS. Proteins are being recognized as ideal materials due to their low toxicity, potential interaction with solvents, and bioactivity. One of the most remarkable natural sources of proteins is found in chicken eggs. Moreover, curcumin has been reported as a natural medicine for inflammatory treatments by reducing excessive ROS production, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory secretion through signaling pathway regulation. Despite the benefits given, the fast metabolism of curcumin, poor absorption, low solubility, instability, and elimination pose several challenges for its clinical development as a medicinal drug. Therefore, this study aims to fabricate a nanoparticle coated polymer (Cur@EPN(P)) developed from self-assembled curcumin-loaded egg protein nanoparticles coated with N, N, N trimethyl chitosan and alginate. Overall, the obtained Cur@EPN(P) had an approximate diameter of 220 nm and a positive surface charge of +33 mV, with an encapsulation efficiency of 71.86% (71.86 µg/mL curcumin) and a drug loading capacity of 14.37%. In addition, Cur@EPN(P) demonstrated a higher anti-inflammatory action by decreasing the nitric oxide level in the lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macro-phage cell activation as compared to egg protein nanoparticles (EPNs). In con-clusion, Cur@EPN(P) may be a potential oral nanotherapy for reducing the ROS-based inflammatory conditions.