Formulation and Characterization of Poly (D, L-Lactide-Co-glycolide) Nanoparticles Loaded with Achyranthes aspera for Increasing Bioavailability

Abstract

The use of traditional medicines has increased tremendously to improve health conditions as they symbolize safety in contrast to synthetic medicines, which tend to produce undesirable side effects The components of medicinal plants have shown promising potential to prevent and treat a wide range of chronic diseases but a scientific approach is needed to increase the bioavailability of components and their delivery in a sustained manner to avoid repeated administration. The low bioavailability may be attributed to low aqueous solubility, degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, increased metabolism, or more systemic elimination. However, nanotechnology-based new processes are being explored worldwide to enhance their bioavailability, improve cellular uptake, increased dissolution rates, good blood stability, and controlled release. Hence, the integration of these nanocarriers with the traditional medicine system is very essential. Achyranthes aspera grows throughout the world and belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. It is a small, much branched, and perennial herb of about 1–2 m in height. It has been a well-known plant drug in different systems of medicine and various home remedies and is traditionally valued as an effective medicinal agent having antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antitumor, antiarthritic, antidepressant, antinociceptive, antihepatocarcinogenic activity, hypoglycaemic, and various other important medicinal properties. To overcome the bioavailability limitations and prolong the efficacy of its components, the overall aim of the present study was to synthesize poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with A. aspera by solvent evaporation method using Pluronic F-68 as a surfactant. The nanoparticles exhibited a smooth and spherical shape with an average size between 150 and 180 nm. Characterization of PLGA nanoparticles loaded with A. aspera showed the successful encapsulation of the drug. The entrapment efficiency and percentage yield was nearly 60.0 and 58.0%, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that A. aspera-loaded nanoparticles are amorphous in nature. No apparent shifts were observed in the IR bands indicating the absence of direct molecular interactions between the polymer and drug. The in vitro release pattern from PLGA nanoparticles loaded with A. aspera at pH 7.2 was characterized by an initial burst and then a sustained release. The study demonstrates the successful encapsulation of A. aspera in PLGA for the first time for enhancing bioavailability and also to sustain its release. This nanoparticulate drug delivery system has a great potential for future clinical application.