Abstract
Propolis is a natural substance and consists of bioactive compounds, which gives it antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, the use of propolis is limited by the low solubility in aqueous solutions. Thus, nanoparticles may be likely to accomplish enhanced delivery of poorly water-soluble phytomedicine. The aim of the present study was to fabricate and evaluate the biological activity of ethanolic extract of propolis-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (EEP-NPs). The EEP-NPs were prepared using the oil-in-water (o/w) single-emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The physicochemical properties of EEP-NPs were characterized and tested on their cytotoxicity, antifungal activity, and impact on key virulence factors that contribute to pathogenesis of C. albicans. EEP-NPs were successfully synthesized and demonstrated higher antifungal activity than EEP in free form. Moreover, EEP-NPs exhibited less cytotoxicity on Vero cells and suppressed the virulence factors of C. albicans, including adhesion, hyphal germination, biofilm formation, and invasion. Importantly, EEP-NPs exhibited a statistical decrease in the expression of hyphal adhesion-related genes, ALS3 and HWP1, of C. albicans. The results of this study revealed that EEP-NPs mediates a potent anticandidal activity and key virulence factors by reducing the gene-encoding virulence-associated hyphal- adhesion proteins of C. albicans and, thereby, disrupting the morphologic presence and attenuating their virulence.
Highlights
In recent times, natural products have become alternative therapeutic options because they are safe and effective with many active compounds [1]
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) chromatograms are presented in Figure 1. e analysis of the brown propolis revealed the presence of gallic acid, quercetin, pinocembrin, chrysin, and galangin
It was clearly seen that the percentage of Ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) release in extract of propolis-loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (EEP-NPs) 3 was higher than that of EEP-NP 1 and EEP-NP 2 as shown in Figure 3. ere were no difference in the percentage of EEP release in EEP-NP 1 and EEP-NP 2
Summary
Natural products have become alternative therapeutic options because they are safe and effective with many active compounds [1]. Propolis is one of the most natural products that has been used as a traditional medicine. It is a natural resinous substance collected by bees from buds and exudates of plants, mixed with bee enzymes, pollen, and wax to seal cracks and crevices in their hive [2]. Propolis is widely used in many applications as described above, the solubility of poorly soluble active compounds has been a limitation [10].
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