Efficacy of a resveratrol nanoformulation prepared by a facile solvent-free method

Abstract

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenolic compound known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and cardioprotective properties. However, the limited water solubility and poor bioavailability of RSV significantly hinder its applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. To address these challenges, we developed a facile, scalable, and specifically organic-solvent-free method to prepare highly stable and concentrated RSV nanoformulations. By utilizing an ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil (EHCO) aqueous solution, we successfully dissolve RSV in water at concentrations up to 30 mg/mL. This RSV solution can subsequently be incorporated with hydrogenated lecithin S10 to formulate stable lipid nanoparticles (e.g., 140–180 nm). The entire process is performed under heating and stirring, eliminating the need for organic solvents and ensuring simplicity and high reproducibility. The resulting RSV-CO60@S10 nanoformulations exhibit relatively high encapsulation efficiency (with final RSV concentrations up to 30 mg/mL), long-term stability (exceeding 6 months), preserved antioxidant activity, and effective cellular internalization capabilities that alleviate oxidative stress. Additionally, these nanoparticles exhibit promising therapeutic efficacy on atopic dermatitis in mice. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential utilization of RSV across diverse applications.