Abstract:
Nanoparticle systems integrating alginate and chitosan emerge as a promising
platform for anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Asparagus falcatus L. (Family: Asparagaceae)
is a medicinal plant recognized for its potent anti-inflammatory activity
based on previous scientific studies. This study aimed to synthesize, characterize,
and assess the anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous extract of A. falcatus-
loaded alginate/chitosan nanoparticles. Aqueous extract of A. falcatus (0.125
mg/mL) loaded alginate/chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionotropic pregelation
of an alginate followed by chitosan polyelectrolyte complexation. Characterization
of A. falcatus-loaded alginate/chitosan nanoparticles was performed
in terms of particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Antiinflammatory
activity was evaluated in terms of xanthine oxidase, hyaluronidase
inhibitory, and membrane stabilization assays. Allopurinol, tannic acid, and diclofenac
were used as their positive controls, respectively. The A. falcatus-loaded
alginate/chitosan nanoparticles had maximum encapsulation efficiency and loading
capacity at 3 mg/mL concentration of 82.42% and 0.37%, respectively. The
polydispersity index and zeta potential of A. falcatus-loaded alginate/chitosan
nanoparticles were 0.44 and -19.4 mV, respectively indicating the broad size distribution
of particles and a lesser tendency to aggregate. SEM and FTIR confirmed
that particles were in an acceptable nano range and successful encapsulation
of A. falcatus into the alginate/chitosan matrix. The A. falcatus-loaded
alginate/chitosan nanoparticles were active against xanthine oxidase inhibition,
with significant (p<0.05) improvement of 53.74% compared to its crude extract
and positive controls. The aqueous extract of A. falcatus-loaded alginate/chitosan
nanoparticles was capable of inhibiting hyaluronidase enzyme and hypotonicityinduced
hemolysis under membrane stabilization at 8.93% and 48.37%, significant
improvement respectively. In conclusion, A. falcatus-loaded alginate/chitosan
nanoparticles showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity, highlighting their potential
as promising nanotherapeutics.
