Fabrication of quercetin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles via electrohydrodynamic atomization for cardiovascular disease

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases constitute a major public health concern in industrialized nations. Oxidative stress induced free radicals play a critical role in cellular processes implicated in atherosclerosis and many other heart diseases. Quercetin (Qu) is an antioxidant drug which is shown that effectively protects against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Encapsulation of drugs in polymeric NPs are widely used in producing sustained and controllable drug release, or to avoid degradation of non-released drugs. In this current work, a novel system of polymeric PLGA NPs loaded with Qu, was fabricated via electrohydrodynamic atomization process (EHDA) in order to improve poor aqueous solubility and stability of the drug with the aim of preventing atherosclerosis. The fabricated nanoparticles collected in a stable glass substrate. The results of atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis and the scanning electron microscope (SEM), confirmed the fabrication of spherical polymeric nanoparticles with diameter ranging from 300nm to350 nm, narrow size distribution and smooth surface. The release profile of quercetin from the particles was investigated by determining the drug amount released at specific intervals for by luminescence. Furthermore, XRD analysis was used to determine the physical status of Qu encapsulated in NPs compared with that of pure Qu. The information obtained from this study facilitates the design and fabrication of polymeric nanoparticles as possible delivery systems for encapsulation, protection and controlled release of the flavonoid quercetin which is aiming to protect against CVDs.