Work

Combination of Apigenin and Melatonin with nanostructured lipid carriers as anti-inflammatory ocular treatment

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: • Apigenin and Melatonin were successfully co-encapsulated into lipid nanoparticles. • NLC showed suitable physicochemical parameters and a prolonged release. • Ocular biocompatibility was demonstrated through in vitro and in ovo studies. • NLC reduced cytokine levels in an inflammation corneal model in vitro. • NLC effectively attenuated inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Ocular inflammation is a complex pathology with limited treatment options. While traditional therapies have side effects, novel approaches, such as natural compounds like Apigenin (APG) and Melatonin (MEL) offer promising solutions. APG and MEL, in combination with nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), may provide a synergistic effect in treating ocular inflammation, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing adverse effects. NLC could provide chemical protection of these compounds, while offering a sustained release into the ocular surface. Optimized NLC exhibited suitable physicochemical parameters, physical stability, sustained release of APG and MEL, and were biocompatible in vitro with a corneal cell line, and in ovo by using hen’s egg chorioallantoic membrane test. In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed the NLC’ ability to attenuate inflammation by reducing interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) cytokine levels and by decreasing inflammation in a rabbit model. These findings suggest that the co-encapsulation of APG and MEL into NLC could represent a promising strategy for managing ocular inflammatory conditions.

Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.125160