Potential of Longan Seed Extract-Loaded Alginate-Chitosan Beads as Drug Delivery System

The potential of a drug delivery system of the longan seed extract (LSE) incorporated in the alginate/chitosan (Alg/CS) beads has been studied. The LSE-loaded Alg/CS beads were prepared using the ionic gelation method via the interaction between protonated amino groups of CS and negatively charged carboxylic groups of Alg. Properties of the LSE-loaded Alg/CS beads were investigated including the morphology of the beads, particle sizes, encapsulation efficiency (%EE), controlled release profile, cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility. From the results, the amount of gallic acid, ellagic acid, and corilagin found in LSE was 25.61 +/- 0.48,18.83 +/- 3.75, and 21.92 +/- 1.42 mg/g (based on the weight of LSE), respectively. The half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of LSE was 24.29 +/- 1.08 mu g/ml. SEM images of the LSE-loaded Alg/CS beads showed spherical shapes and rough surfaces with some aggregation. The particle sizes were between 1.9 and 2.5 mu m with the PDI values of 0.1503-0.3183. Encapsulation efficiencies were between 11 and 18%. The released amount of LSE from the LSE-loaded Alg/CS beads was ranging between 68 and 93%. Moreover, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility tests showed that the beads were non-toxic to both NCTC clone 929 and NHDF cells and promoted the attachment of NHDF cells. Thus, these beads could be used as polymeric drug carriers.