Protective effects of polydatin in free and nanocapsulated form on changes caused by lipopolysaccharide in hippocampal organotypic cultures

Abstract Background Polydatin (PD) is a compound, originally isolated from the root and rhizome of the Chinese herb Polygonum cuspidatum. To date, various biological properties of this compound, such as analgesic, anti-pyretic or diuretic effects, have been shown. Recently, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been widely postulated, yet PD instability and low bioavailability limit its beneficial actions. Therefore, it has been suggested that an encapsulation process may be a promising strategy for overcoming these limitations and increasing the therapeutic efficacy of PD. Methods We examined the effects of PD in two forms, including free and in PD-loaded polymeric nanocapsules, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes in hippocampal organotypic cultures. Results Our results indicated that free and encapsulated PD diminished cell death processes and attenuated the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS administration. Additionally, PD in both forms strongly inhibited the production of nitric oxide and down-regulated the level of iNOS enzyme in LPS-stimulated hippocampal cultures. Conclusion Taken together, our study showed that PD exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties in LPS-treated hippocampal organotypic cultures. Furthermore, we show that the encapsulation procedure preserved the features of the free form of this compound, and therefore, the polymeric nanocapsules containing PD may be used as a novel and promising delivery system in therapeutic strategies.