Characterization and stability evaluation of nanoencapsulated epoxylignans.

3',6-dimethoxy-3'',4''-(methylenedioxy)-2,5-epoxylignan-4'-ol (DMEO), an epoxylignan isolated from Piper nigrum, has currently captured attention for its potential antitumor effect. However, low stability is limiting its therapeutic application. The application of nanocapsulation would be the main strategy for overcoming this problem. DMEO-loaded nanocapsules were prepared by an emulsion-diffusion method using Eudragit RL 100 (at concentrations of 1, 1.5 and 2%) and polyvinyl alcohol. As the polymer content increased, the encapsulation efficiency and mean particle size also increased. After 6 months of storage at 25°C (0% RH), no crystalline peaks were observed in the diffraction patterns of all nanocapsules, thereby suggested that the physical stability of nanoencapsulated DMEO was not affected by the concentration ratio of the polymer-stabilizer combinations.