Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles Containing Quercetin: Characterization and Antioxidant Activity

Quercetin is a flavonoid reported as anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, anti-microbial, antioxidant, antineurodegenerative and antitumoral. However, due to its low water solubility, its efficacy is restricted. Nanotechnology can be an importante tool to improve the quercetin properties and increase its bioavailability. In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles containing quercetin were developed by desolvation technique, characterized the mean particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, physical state of drug in nanoparticles and drug release profile as well as their antioxidant activity was evaluated. The influence of glutaraldehyde percentage in nanoparticles properties was evaluated and did not influence the nanoparticles parameters. Nanoparticles presented a mean size around 130 nm and encapsulation efficiency around 85%. Results from X-ray diffractometry showed that the crystal of the drug was converted to an amorphous state in polymeric matrix. Quercetin release profile demonstrated a biphasic pattern and after 96 h approximately 18% of drug was released. Kinetic models demonstrated that the quercetin release followed a second-order model and the release was governed by Fickian diffusion. After 96 h, quercetin-loaded nanoparticles were more effective than free quercetin for scanvenger of radical ABTS + and hypochlorous acid. BSA nanoparticles represents potential carriers for improve quercetin properties.