Resveratrol loaded chitosan-pectin core-shell nanoparticles as novel drug delivery vehicle for sustained release and improved antioxidant activities

Resveratrol, chemically known as 3, 5, 4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene, is a natural polyphenol with promising multi-targeted health benefits. The optimal therapeutic uses of resveratrol are limited due to its poor solubility, rapid metabolism and low bioavailability. To address the issues, we have encapsulated resveratrol inside the nanosized core made of chitosan and coated this core with pectin - shell in order to fabricate a drug delivery vehicle which can entrap resveratrol for a longer period of time. The core - shell nanoparticles fabricated in this way were characterized with the help of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Field Emission Transmission electron microscopy/Selected Area Electron Diffraction (FETEM/SAED), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM)), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Zeta Potential measurements. In vitro drug release study showed the ability of the core-shell nanoparticles to provide sustained release of resveratrol for almost 30 hours. The release efficiency of the drug was found to be pH dependent and a sequential control over drug release can be obtained varying the shell thickness. The resveratrol encapsulated in a nanocarrier was found to have a better in vitro antioxidant activity than free resveratrol as determined by DPPH radical scavenging method. This work finally offers a novel nano-based drug delivery system.