In vitro penetration of lycopene-loaded nanoparticles using chitosan as a stabilizer

Abstract

Lycopene nanoparticles were prepared by two different methods, chitosan coated liposome nanoparticles and chitosan alginate nanopaticles. the chitosan was used as a stabilizer. The particle sizes, morphology and encapsulation efficiency were investigated. The results showed that the mean particle sizes were in range of 320-463 nm and 323-500 nm for chitosan coated liposome nanoparticles and chitosan alginate nanoparticles, respectively. TEM analysis showed that lycopene loaded chitosan coated liposome nanoparticles had a spherical or ellipsoidal shape with some lamellar patterns of liposomes. Lycopene loaded chitosan alginate nanoparticles presented a spherical shape with a highly porous structure. The percentage of encapsulation efficiency was significantly affected by the lycopene loading concentration. When lycopene loading concentration was increased, the percentage of encapsulation efficiency increased. The highest percentage of encapsulation efficiency of chitosan coated liposome nanoparticles was obtained at lycopene loading concentration of 200.28 microgram/mL, while the highest percentage of encapsulation efficiency of chitosan alginate nanoparticles was obtained at lycopene loading concentration of 234.16 microgram/mL. Lycopene loaded chitosan alginate nanoparticles exhibited greater stability after storage for 12 weeks in refrigerator than storage in dark and visible light at room temperature. The in vitro penetration through the human skin showed the flux of lycopene loaded chitosan coated liposome and lycopene loaded chitosan alginate nanoparticles were 0.71 +- 0.03 and 1.67 +- 0.07 microgram/sq.cm h, respectively. TEM micrographs showed the penetration of lycopene loaded nanoparticles into epidermis after 3 h treatment. Lycopene loaded chitosan coated liposome nanoparticles were found between the corneocyte with swelling of the intercellular lipid and lycopene loaded chitosan alginate nanoparticles was found in corneocyte at stratum corneum.