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. 2022 Nov 29;17(11):e0274432.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274432. eCollection 2022.

Euphorbia tirucalli latex loaded polymer nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, in vitro release and in vivo antinociceptive action

Marina Lima Rodrigues  1   2 , Anderson de Jesus Gomes  1   2   3 , Mani Indiana Funez  3 , Mariane Aparecida da Silva Marques  3 , Claure Nain Lunardi  1   2   3
Affiliations

Euphorbia tirucalli latex loaded polymer nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, in vitro release and in vivo antinociceptive action

Marina Lima Rodrigues et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The encapsulation of drugs in micro and nanocarriers has helped to resolve mechanisms of cellular resistance and decrease drug side effects as well. In this study, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) was used to encapsulate the Euphol active substance-containing latex from Euphorbia tirucalli (E-latex). The nanoparticles (NP) were prepared using the solvent evaporation method and the physical and chemical properties were evaluated using spectrophotometric techniques. FTIR was used to prove the formation of the ester bond between the E-latex and PLGA-NP. The UV-Vis spectroscopic technique was used to show that more than 75% of the latex was encapsulated; the same technique was used to determine the release profile of the compound at different pH values, as well as determining the speed with which the process occurs through kinetic models, and it was observed that the best adjustments occurred for the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and the Higuchi model. The DLS technique was used to determine the diameter of the particles produced as well as their zeta potential (ZP). The sizes of the particles varied from 497 to 764 nm, and it was observed that the increase in E-latex concentration causes a reduction in the diameter of the NP and an increase in the ZP (-1.44 to -22.7 mV), due to more functional groups from latex film being adsorbed to the NPs surfaces. The thermogravimetric experiments exhibit the glass transition temperatures (Tg) that is appropriate for the use of formulated NPs as a stable drug delivery device before use. The in vivo activity of E-NPs (30 and 100 mg/Kg/p.o.) was tested against carrageenan-induced mechanical hypernociception. The data demonstrated a significantly antinociceptive effect for E-NPs, suggesting that E-latex nanoencapsulation preserved its desired properties.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Steps of the preparation of blank NPs and E-NPs using the solvent evaporation method.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Illustration of the steps for in vivo hypernociception assay.
Fig 3
Fig 3. FTIR spectra of E-Latex (red line), Blank-NP (green line) and E-NPs (blue line).
Fig 4
Fig 4. DSC analysis of PLGA NPs: Blank NP (blue line) and E-NPs (red line).
Fig 5
Fig 5. Experimental release profile of E-NP: A) pH 1.0 (dark blue dot), (B) pH 7.4 (green dot) and C) pH 8.5 (black dot), red curve indicate the best fitting curve.
Insert: kinetic model graph.
Fig 6
Fig 6. Carrageenan-induced hypernociception in rats is inhibited by the free or encapsulated compound.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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