Development of a Sericin Hydrogel to Deliver Anthocyanins from Purple Waxy Corn Cob (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Extract and In Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Effects

• Main Authors: Nattawadee Kanpipit (Author), Natsajee Nualkaew (Author), Worawikunya Kiatponglarp (Author), Aroonsri Priprem (Author), Suthasinee Thapphasaraphong (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2022-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Sericin-alginate hydrogel formulations with purple waxy corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) cob extract (PWCC) for topical anti-inflammatory application are developed and evaluated. The physical properties such as viscosity, pH, and anthocyanin release are examined and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities, such as NO inhibition and IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and COX-2 expression, are evaluated in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. The sericin-alginate hydrogel is prepared by physical crosslinking through the ionic interaction of the polymers combined with anthocyanin from PWCC at pH 6.5. The hydrogel formulation with 2.00% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> sericin, 0.20% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> alginate, and 0.15% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i> PWCC (SN6) shows a suitable viscosity for topical treatment, the highest nitric oxide inhibition (79.43%), no cytotoxicity, and reduced expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α mediators. Moreover, the SN6 formulation displays a sustained anthocyanin release over 8-12 h, which correlates with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The FT-IR spectrum of SN6 confirmed interaction of the sericin polymer with anthocyanins from PWCC via H-bonding by the shifted peak of amide I and amide III. In addition, the anthocyanin is stable in sericin hydrogels under heating-cooling storage conditions. Therefore, we suggest that this hydrogel formulation has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. The formulation will be further investigated for in vivo studies and clinical trials in the future.

Item Description

10.3390/pharmaceutics14030577
1999-4923