Hyeryeon Oh1,2, Jin Sil Lee1,2, Daekyung Sung1, Jong-Min Lim3,4, Won Il Choi1. 1. Center for Convergence Bioceramic Materials, Convergence R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea. 2. School of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Nanobio Materials and Electronics, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam 31538, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Electronic Materials and Devices Engineering, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Chungnam 31538, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Astaxanthin (ASTA), a carotenoid, is a strong antioxidant. However, its application in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics remains limited due to its low aqueous solubility and stability. Several different encapsulating materials have been used to improve the stability and bioavailability of ASTA; however, the currently investigated nano-carriers for ASTA require additional improvements with regard to their loading capacity and stability. METHODS: In this study, we developed lecithin nano-liposol (Lec NS) as a novel carrier of ASTA using a simple emulsion evaporation method. The physicochemical characteristics including hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, surface charge and morphology were analyzed by DLS and TEM. The antioxidant activity of the ASTA-loaded Lec NS (ASTA@Lec NS) was evaluated using a DPPH radical scavenging assay and in vitro antioxidant assay. The study of in vitro wound healing efficacy was carried out to observe the beneficial effect of antioxidant activity of ASTA@Lec NS on cell migration. RESULTS: ASTA@Lec NS showed improved stability and efficacy owing to improved aqueous solubility of ASTA inside Lec NS. Both in situ and in vitro antioxidant activities of ASTA@Lec NS were higher than that of bare ASTA and Lec NS. It also exhibited strong wound healing efficacy by regulation of ROS level in in vitro cell model. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the encapsulation of ASTA into Lec NS using a wet phase transfer enhanced its physiological stability and bioavailability for effective scavenging of reactive oxygen species.
BACKGROUND: Astaxanthin (ASTA), a carotenoid, is a strong antioxidant. However, its application in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics remains limited due to its low aqueous solubility and stability. Several different encapsulating materials have been used to improve the stability and bioavailability of ASTA; however, the currently investigated nano-carriers for ASTA require additional improvements with regard to their loading capacity and stability. METHODS: In this study, we developed lecithin nano-liposol (Lec NS) as a novel carrier of ASTA using a simple emulsion evaporation method. The physicochemical characteristics including hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, surface charge and morphology were analyzed by DLS and TEM. The antioxidant activity of the ASTA-loaded Lec NS (ASTA@Lec NS) was evaluated using a DPPH radical scavenging assay and in vitro antioxidant assay. The study of in vitro wound healing efficacy was carried out to observe the beneficial effect of antioxidant activity of ASTA@Lec NS on cell migration. RESULTS: ASTA@Lec NS showed improved stability and efficacy owing to improved aqueous solubility of ASTA inside Lec NS. Both in situ and in vitro antioxidant activities of ASTA@Lec NS were higher than that of bare ASTA and Lec NS. It also exhibited strong wound healing efficacy by regulation of ROS level in in vitro cell model. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the encapsulation of ASTA into Lec NS using a wet phase transfer enhanced its physiological stability and bioavailability for effective scavenging of reactive oxygen species.