DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF POLYMERIC NANOPARTICLES OF GLYCYRRHIZIN: PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study to develop, optimize and characterize Poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with isolated Glycyrrhizin (Glyc) and investigate for antioxidant activity. Methods: PLGA nanoparticles loaded with Glycyrrhizin were synthesized by an adapted emulsion-evaporation method. Nanoparticles were evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency and Polydispersiblity index (PDI). Further, Box Benkhen design was applied for optimization of the formulation parameters and the effect of three independent variables such as PLGA concentration, amount of glycyrrhizin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentration on particle size, polydispersiblity index and the entrapment efficiency (response variables) were investigated. The antioxidant capacity of optimized nanoparticle formulation loaded with glycyrrhizin was compared with free glycyrrhizin by DPPH assay. Results: The particle size, entrapment efficiency and PDI of optimized Glyc-NPs was found to be 144.20 nm, 68.0% and 0.315 respectively. Optimized Glyc-NPs showed sustained release of drug 79.06% in 48 hours with improved free radical scavenging activity than isolated Glycyrrhizin. Conclusion: PLGA nanoparticles were found to be suitable carrier for Glycyrrhizin at lower levels than originally required for enhanced functional properties.