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A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
Published on: April 11, 2014
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Microencapsulation-protected l-ascorbic acid for the application of human epithelial HaCaT cell proliferation
1Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, State Key Laboratory of Chirosciences , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong , P.R. China .
Journal of Microencapsulation
|June 26, 2014
Summary
New microcapsules enhance vitamin C's wound healing potential. Gelatin and agar protect unstable ascorbic acid (vitamin C), improving cell growth for better skin repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) promotes cell proliferation crucial for wound healing.
- Ascorbic acid is unstable and degrades easily in various environmental conditions.
- Effective storage and delivery of ascorbic acid remain a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop stable l-ascorbic acid microcapsules using gelatin and agar.
- To characterize the physical properties and release profile of the microcapsules.
- To evaluate the efficacy of microencapsulated ascorbic acid on cell proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Microencapsulation of l-ascorbic acid using gelatin and agar.
- Characterization of physical properties: entrapment efficiency, particle size, surface morphology, chemical composition.
- Assessment of release profile.
- In vitro evaluation of cell proliferation using HaCaT cells.
Main Results:
- Developed stable l-ascorbic acid microcapsules with defined physical properties.
- Microencapsulated ascorbic acid demonstrated enhanced cell proliferation compared to free ascorbic acid.
- Significant cell growth observed in human epithelial HaCaT cells treated with microencapsulated ascorbic acid.
Conclusions:
- Gelatin and agar effectively encapsulate l-ascorbic acid, improving its stability.
- Microencapsulated ascorbic acid shows enhanced efficacy in promoting cell proliferation.
- These findings suggest potential for improved wound healing applications using ascorbic acid microcapsules.
