Development and effect of storage on the stability of enriched flavonoid fraction of Cecropia glaziovii-loaded PLGA nanoparticles

Abstract

Studies employing Cecropia glaziovii Snethl leaves have shown great potential in regard to their antiviral activity, mainly related to the phenolic compounds present in this species. The main goal of this work is to combine the therapeutic potential of this species with new technological strategies targeted at the development of an herbal nanoparticulate system for the preparation of a phytotherapeutic formulation. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles containing the enriched flavonoid fraction of Cecropia glaziovii Snethl were developed through a study for the choice of preparation technique, amount of drug and surfactants used. These nanostructured systems were characterized by particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and drug-loading capacity. A stability study of the formulations was conducted at room temperature over a period of 60 days. The optimal formulation that best fit the characteristics of the encapsulated material was determined. Sorbitan monooleate and the poloxamer 188 resulted in better colloidal stability, added to the organic and aqueous phases, respectively. These findings suggest that in the field of nanoparticles stability, it is important to evaluate the composition of the nanoparticulate system. This work highlights the importance of the optimization process, searching for a good formulation with suitable structural stabilization.

Keywords:

• PLGA nanoparticles
• enriched flavonoid fraction of Cecropia glaziovii Snethl
• stability study
• double emulsion

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Aldaléa Sprada Tavares, the coordinator of Unidade de Conservação Ambiental Desterro for authorizing plant collection in this conservation unit. Talitha Caldas dos Santos thanks Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the graduate scholarship. The authors also thank the Brazilian funding agencies CNPq (MCTI) and CAPES (MEC) for their research fellowships.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone responsible for the content and writing of this manuscript.