Fabrication of surfactant-free quercetin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles: evaluation of hepatoprotective efficacy by nuclear scintigraphy

The purpose of this study was to develop surfactant-free quercetin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (Qr-NPs) and investigate the hepatoprotective efficacy of the product non-invasively by nuclear scintigraphy. The nanoparticles were prepared using PLGA by dialysis method and ranged in size between 50 and 250 nm with a narrow range of distribution. They were found to arrive at the fenestra of liver sinusoidal epithelium for accumulation. The sizes of nanoparticles (batch S1) were optimal to reach the target and offer enough protection of the hepatocytes degenerated by CCl 4 intoxication as determined by various biochemical and histopathological tests. In vitro studies exhibited the cytotoxic effect of the formulation against HepG2 cell line. The hepatoprotective efficacy of Qr-NPs evaluated non-invasively by nuclear scintigraphic technique using 99m Tc-labelled sulphur colloid revealed abnormality in liver at the area of decreased uptake in rats of CCl 4 -treated group, which disappeared in Qr-NP-treated group. In dynamic studies with 99m Tc-mebrofenin, excretion was severely impaired in CCl 4 -treated group but was moderate in drug-treated group, proving the recovery of animals from damage. Graphical Abstract