Preparation and characterization of nano statins using oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju): a new strategy to reduce toxicity and enhance efficacy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease

Abstract

IntroductionMost of the cardiovascular diseases come under the umbrella of atherosclerosis. Statins, a class of drug, well known to treat cardiovascular diseases, exhibit poor solubility and low bioavailability which limits their applications. In this study, oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju), was used to prepare nanoparticles of statins to explore whether it could achieve better solubility, bioavailability and efficacy at a lower dose compared with nanoparticles from Lovastatin, a commercial drug. MethodsNanoparticles of statins were prepared from both the commercial as well as herbal source using the wet milling technique. Prepared nanoparticles from both the sources were characterized using characterization techniques such as DLS, UV–vis spectroscopy, SEM, FTIR and HPLC which were compared with their bulk form for their efficacy. Antioxidant activity of statins was also evaluated by DPPH scavenging assay. ResultsThese results demonstrated a new method of preparation of statin nanoparticles. The SEM analysis of herbal as well as commercial nano formulations showed the size ranged between 60–90 nm and their HPLC analysis confirmed the presence and elution of lovastatin at approximately 9 min. Results of the antioxidant assay showed that nanoparticles synthesized from commercial drug, lovastatin, and from mushroom showed 76.57 % and 73.83 % of inhibition, respectively which was much higher than their bulk counterpart which showed only 16.77 % inhibition. ConclusionsThe study has provided a method to combat the toxicity effects associated with bulk statins by synthesising nanoparticles of statins with greater efficacy, higher bioavailability, more solubility and greater radical scavenging capacity at a lower dose.