Crocetin as New Cross-Linker for Bioactive Sericin Nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Nose-to-brain delivery bypasses the blood-brain barrier for direct brain drug administration.
• Conventional nasal formulations have low drug transfer levels.
• Developing advanced nano-drug delivery systems is crucial for effective brain targeting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize sericin nanoparticles (NPc) using crocetin as a natural cross-linker.
• To compare NPc with sericin nanoparticles cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (NPg).
• To evaluate the potential of NPc for nose-to-brain delivery of antioxidants for neurological diseases.

Main Methods:

• Sericin nanoparticles were prepared using crocetin (NPc) and glutaraldehyde (NPg).
• Particle size, morphology, and stability were analyzed.
• In vitro antioxidant activity (ROS-scavenging) and cytocompatibility on human fibroblasts and Caco-2 cells were assessed.

Main Results:

• NPc exhibited a suitable size (~248 nm) for nose-to-brain delivery and a spherical morphology.
• NPc demonstrated enhanced ROS-scavenging ability compared to NPg.
• Both NPc and NPg were cytocompatible and protected cells from oxidative stress, with NPc showing high efficacy at 400 µg/mL.

Conclusions:

• Sericin nanoparticles cross-linked with crocetin (NPc) are a stable and effective system for nose-to-brain delivery.
• NPc possess superior antioxidant properties and cytocompatibility.
• NPc represent a promising strategy for brain targeting of antioxidants to treat neurological disorders.