Enhanced controlled drug delivery of berberine-loaded gelatin nanoparticles: characterization and in vitro assessment

Abstract

Berberine (BBR), a natural isoquinoline alkaloid, has long been recognized for its potent antimicrobial properties. However, BBR's therapeutic potential remains limited due to its poor bioavailability, low solubility, and short biological half-life. Nanoencapsulation of BBR within a suitable carrier system represents a promising strategy to overcome these limitations and enhance its pharmacological performance. In this study, BBR-loaded gelatin nanoparticles (BBR-GNPs) were successfully synthesized using a double desolvation technique to achieve controlled release and improved antimicrobial efficacy. FTIR and XRD spectroscopy affirmed the loading of BBR in GNPs. The prepared BBR-GNPs exhibited a mean particle size of 215.4 ± 54.32 nm and a zeta potential of +22.6 ± 4.48 mV, as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), with an encapsulation efficiency of 72.5%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed uniformly spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 169.4 ± 25.89 nm. In vitro release studies demonstrated a biphasic and sustained release profile extending over three weeks. The biological evaluation of BBR-GNPs indicated notable antimicrobial, antioxidant, and biocompatibility characteristics. Moreover, MTT assay results showed high cell viability of human skin fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner, confirming the safety of the developed formulation. Overall, this work presents BBR-GNPs as a promising nanoplatform for controlled drug delivery, offering enhanced solubility, prolonged release, and improved bioavailability of BBR, thereby extending its potential therapeutic applications.