Synthesis of Chitosan/Alginate Nanoparticles from the Aqueous extract of Asparagus falcatus L. with enhanced anti-inflammatory activity.

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.