Polymeric nanoparticles loaded naringin and naringenin: effect of solvent, characterization, photodegradation and stability studies

Naringin (NAR) and naringenin (NGE) are flavonoids with important effects, such as antioxidant, nephroprotective and anti-inflammatory action. However, factors such as poor solubility and oral bioavailability, gastrointestinal instability and extensive first pass metabolism lead to limited deliverability. As far as we know, there are no papers describing the use of combination of NAR and NGE in nanoparticles. This paper describes the development and characterization of new nanoparticles containing NAR and NGE (NAR-NGE-NPs) which were prepared by nanoprecipitation using ethanol or mixture of solvents. Size distribution of NAR-NGE-NPs demonstrated a narrow distribution (121 nm), low polydispersity (< 0.1), and encapsulation efficiencies were greater than 80%. Infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed the structure of NAR-NGE-NPs and in transmission electron microscopy, NAR-NGE-NPs presented a spherical and regular shape. A degradation study by UV-C, NAR-NGE-NPs improved photostability and conferred protection against NAR and NGE degradation. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of NAR and NGE were evaluated, however samples did not show antimicrobial activity. In this investigation, new NAR-NGE-NPs were successfully developed by a nanoprecipitation technique, using Endragit®L100 as polymer and ethanol as solvent.