Erucin-loaded chitosan coated solid lipid hybrid nanoparticles: An efficient drug delivery system for enhancing...

This study investigates enhancing the solubility, bioavailability, and sustained release of erucin, a lipophilic compound from Eruca sativa seeds, using chitosan-coated lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles (ER-LPHNPs). Optimized ER-LPHNPs were evaluated for in vitro and in vivo properties. The developed formulation was characterized using various techniques and studied for its toxicity on RAW 246.7 cell line and baker's yeast along with glucose uptake assay on baker's yeast and L6 cell line. ER-LPHNPs (size: 112.3667 ± 1.76 nm, PDI: 0.244 ± 0.012, ZP: +33.6 mV) showed spherical morphology by HR-TEM, FE-SEM, AFM and encapsulation efficiency exceeded 90 %, with sustained release at pH 7.4. FTIR confirmed the encapsulation of erucin and absence of drug-excipients covalent interactions. ER-LPHNPs and erucin were non-toxic to baker's yeast at concentrations up to 3000 μg/mL, with ER-LPHNPs enhancing glucose uptake over erucin and metronidazole. ER-LPHNPs also showed reduced toxicity on Raw 246.7 cells and significantly improved glucose uptake in L6 cell line. In vivo pharmacokinetics study demonstrated ER-LPHNPs increased drug's bioavailability by 256 %. Additionally, ER-LPHNPs enhanced the C_max and T_max of Erucin, which validates the sustained release of drug from the nanoparticles as compared to ER-CMC suspension. Thus, ER-LPHNPs act as a controlled nano-delivery system by addressing solubility, bioavailability, and sustained release challenges.