Polymerized Luteolin Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Structure Elucidation, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Luteolin, a natural anti-inflammatory flavonoid, suffers from poor water solubility and low bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic use.
• Current luteolin supplements face challenges due to poor solubility and bioavailability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a water-dispersible formulation of luteolin through polymerization.
• To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and safety profile of the novel polyluteolin nanospheres.

Main Methods:

• Mild one-pot polymerization of luteolin into nanospheres.
• Characterization of nanosphere size, ζ-potential, and yield.
• Structural elucidation of polyluteolin using advanced NMR techniques (COSY, HSQC, HMBC).
• Assessment of anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxicity in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized water-dispersible polyluteolin nanospheres with controlled size (average 379.1 nm) and high yield (89.3%).
• Polyluteolin nanoparticles exhibited dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity.
• Unlike native luteolin, polyluteolin nanoparticles demonstrated no cytotoxicity, even at high concentrations.

Conclusions:

• One-pot polymerization effectively transforms luteolin into water-dispersible, non-cytotoxic nanospheres.
• Polyluteolin nanospheres represent a promising, safer alternative to luteolin supplements with enhanced therapeutic potential.