Development of nano-encapsulated green tea catechins: Studies on optimization, characterization, release dynamics, and in-vitro toxicity.

Green tea (Camelia sinesis) has been acknowledged for plethora of pharmacological activities attributed by green tea catechins (GTC), however, poor bioavailability, short half-life and stability issues hamper its use as a therapeutic agent. Chitosan and sodium -tripolyphosphate were used to encapsulate GTC, which reduced its degradation in gastro-intestinal tract. The average size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency of nano-encapsulated epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) rich GTC were observed as 250 nm, +49.8 mV, and 87%, respectively. The morphological and physico-chemical characterizations affirmed the size, stability, and encapsulation efficacy of nano-encapsulated green tea catechins. The In-vitro simulated release model showed the release of GTC in the intestinal phase via zero order kinetics. Cell viability studies were conducted on PC12 cell line to validate safety efficacy of nanoencapsulated GTC. Moreover, the study concluded that stability, bioavailability and bioactivity of EGCG was improved by nanoencapsulation of GTC, thereby rendering it a potent nanoceutical for clinical implications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Green tea catechin has enormous health endorsing activities. One of the major potentials of GTC is its antioxidant activity that plays a promising role in the prevention of various lethal disorders. In the present study, nanoencapsulation is used as a potential approach to improve the low bioavailability of green tea catechin. The results enlightened that nanoencapsulation of green tea catechin could be useful for improving the stability of green tea catechin in the GI tract as well as its bioaccessibility. Henceforth, this strategy restores the stability and bioavailability of green tea catechin that could be practically implied as a nutraceutical in the food and pharmaceutical industry as it can enhance the biological activity of catechins in catechin rich green tea-related products.