Development and characterization of liposomal systems for improved resveratrol delivery

Abstract

After the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer awareness of health and wellness has increased global interest in dietary supplements. The global food sup plement market has grown rapidly and is expected to continue. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that displays various health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardio-protective effects. However, its ef fectiveness is limited by poor solubility, susceptibility to oxidation, photosen sitivity, and low absorption when taken orally ). More recently, encapsulat ing RS into liposomal systems (LS) has gained a promising approach aimed at enhancing their efficiency, stability, release, and palatability due to their self-assembled phospholipid vesicles that can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Such encapsulation has several advantages, includ ing improved stability, protection from exogenous factors, controlled release, and targeted delivery). Thus, this study focuses on producing and character izing LS loaded with RS (RSLS) to enhance nutritional efficacy and stability. Ultra-homogenization and ultrasonication were employed to encapsulate RS. The in-vitro release profile of RSLS showed controlled and sustained release of the active ingredients in the different pH conditions, while the re lease was significantly increased under conditions mimicking the intestinal environment, which ranged from a pH of 6.8. Release patterns are essential for the maximizing of nutritional efficacy of the encapsulated compound. Besides, FTIR analysis confirmed that RS were entrapped into the LS, as supported by the presence of characteristic absorption peaks corresponding to the RS functional groups. The physical characterizations of RSLS were de termined by zeta potential and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses for measur ing their stability and structural properties as well as crystal formations. The MTT assay was used to assess RSLS cytotoxicity in cell culture. The RSLS had high cell viability, indicating low cytotoxicity and safe for nutritional ap plication. This study suggests that the developed RSLS could improve bio availability, stability, and targeted release, improving health outcomes.