Encapsulation of gingerol into nanoliposomes: Evaluation of in vitro anti‐inflammatory and anti‐cancer activity

Abstract

Nanoliposomes (NLs) are ideal carriers for delivering complex molecules and phytochemical products, but ginger by‐products, despite their therapeutic benefits, have poor bioavailability due to their low water solubility and stability. Crude ginger extracts (CGEs) and 6‐gingerol were individually encapsulated within NLs for in vitro activity assessment. In vitro evaluation of anti‐proliferative and anti‐inflammatory properties of encapsulated 6‐gingerol and CGE was performed on healthy human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells. Encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of 6‐gingerol reached 25.23% and 2.5%, respectively. NLs were found stable for up to 30 days at 4°C with a gradual load loss of up to 20%. In vitro cytotoxic effect of encapsulated 6‐gingerol exceeded 70% in the MDA‐MB‐231 cell line, in a comparable manner with non‐encapsulated 6‐gingerol and CGE. The effect of CGE with an IC50 of 3.11 ± 0.39, 7.14 ± 0.80, and 0.82 ± 0.55 μM and encapsulated 6‐gingerol on inhibiting IL‐8 was evident, indicating its potential anti‐inflammatory activity. Encapsulating 6‐gingerol within NLs enhanced its stability and facilitated its biological activity. All compounds, including vitamin C, were equivalent at concentrations below 2 mg/mL, with a slight difference in antioxidant activity. The concentrations capable of inhibiting 50% of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) substrate were comparable.