Ivy leaves extract based – lipid nanocarriers and their bioefficacy on antioxidant and antitumor activities

In this study, two issues commonly associated with phytochemical based nanotechnology were addressed: (1) the use of active compounds from medicinal herbs as functional ingredients entrapped into lipid-based nanocarriers; (2) the safety and efficacy of phytochemical-based nanocarriers with promising antioxidant and antitumor benefits. In this context, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) based on raspberry seed oil ( Rso ), pomegranate seed oil ( Pso ) and rice bran oil ( Rbo ) were synthesized and proven to be highly effective for the entrapment of hydrophilic ivy leaves extract ( Ile ). The size, morphology, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and crystallinity of the Ile -loaded NLC were characterized. The effectiveness of Ile loaded-NLC has been proved by identifying a high capacity to scavenge free oxygen radicals ( i.e. between 94 and 98%). 200 μg mL −1 Ile -NLC based on Rbo showed no significant effects on cellular viability in the fibroblast L929 cell line, while the tumor B16 cell line was markedly affected. MTS, RTCA assays and apoptosis examination revealed that these nanocarriers induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis in the murine melanoma B16 cell line. This study reports the first evidence of the association of hydrophilic and lipophilic phytochemicals in the same lipid nanocarriers, which appears to be a promising antioxidant and antitumor approach deserving further investigation.