Nano-Lipids Based on Ginger Oil and Lecithin as a Potential Drug Delivery System

Abstract

Lipid nanoparticles based on lecithin are an interesting part of drug delivery systems. However, the stability of lecithin nano-lipids is problematic due to the degradation of lecithin, causing a decrease in pH. In this study, the modification of the conventional nano-lipid-based soybean lecithin was demonstrated. Ginger-oil-derived Zingiber officinale was used along with lecithin, cholesterol and span 80 to fabricate nano-lipids (GL nano-lipids) using a thin-film method. TEM and a confocal microscope were used to elucidate GL nano-lipids’ liposome-like morphology. The average size of the resultant nano-lipid was 249.1 nm with monodistribution (PDI = 0.021). The ζ potential of GL nano-lipids was negative, similarly to as-prepared nano-lipid-based lecithin. GL nano-lipid were highly stable over 60 days of storage at room temperature in terms of size and ζ potential. A shift in pH value from alkaline to acid was detected in lecithin nano-lipids, while with the incorporation of ginger oil, the pH value of nano-lipid dispersion was around 7.0. Furthermore, due to the richness of shogaol-6 and other active compounds in ginger oil, the GL nano-lipid was endowed with intrinsic antibacterial activity. In addition, the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and live/dead imaging revealed the excellent biocompatibility of GL nano-lipids. Notably, GL nano-lipids were capable of carrying hydrophobic compounds such as curcumin and performed a pH-dependent release profile. A subsequent characterization showed their suitable potential for drug delivery systems.

Lipid Nanoparticles: An Effective Tool to Improve the Bioavailability of Nutraceuticals

“…Incorporating ginger oil provided pH stability to the liposomes and added intrinsic antibacterial attributes due to its shogaol-6 content. The liposomes showed sufficient loading of the active ingredient and demonstrated pH-dependent release behavior, iterating its suitability as a potential drug delivery system [386].…”

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Root Capsules Enhance Analgesic and Antioxidant Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium in Experimental Acute Inflammation

“…The low bioavailability and extensive phase II metabolism might be a limitation for the use of ginger in different pathologies and therefore new pharmaceutical forms for delivering ginger’s bioactive compounds are currently being developed [ 78 ]. For example, nanocarriers may further improve the beneficial effects of natural-based bioactive compounds as they protect the active compound from external injuries and internal pH variations [ 79 , 80 ].…”

A comprehensive review on ginger-derived exosome-like nanoparticles as feasible therapeutic nano-agents against diseases

“…62 Nowadays nano-lipid vectors based on ginger are used as an efficient drug delivery system in studies. 63 In this regard, 6-shogaol-loaded micelles showed more efficiency than free 6-shogaol in hepatoprotective and anti-tumor activities. 64…”