Nanonization of a chemically synthesized flavone HMDF (3-hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavone) by entrapping within calcium phosphate nanoparticle (CPNP) and exploring its anti-oxidant role on neural cells in vitro and zebra fish in vivo.

HMDF was reported to be synthesized chemically to generate a modified flavone of potent antioxidant activity with significant neuro-pharmacological property. In this study, HMDF was nanonized by entrapping within CPNP. HMDF-CPNPs were of i) size 25nm, ii) zeta potential (-) [22±3]mV and iii) entrapment efficiency 67%. HMDF-CPNP, but not HMDF alone, inhibited in vitro activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme to break down major neurotransmitter compound acetylcholine. Moreover, nanonized HMDF had more anti-oxidant activity than bulk HMDF, as observed from their ability to protect mouse neural cells (neuro-2A) from oxidative damage, caused by H2O2 exposure, at the levels of cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential, cell cycle stages, nuclear integrity and neural connectivity. In vivo study on Zebra-fish larvae (Denio rerio) also demonstrated that H2O2-mediated larval death was checked by HMDF-CPNP treatment. Results, therefore, suggest that HMDF-CPNP may be developed as a potential antioxidant, particularly as neuro-protectant.