Physico-chemical characterization and biosafety evaluation of atorvastatin nanocapsules co-encapsulated with ginger oil or grape seed oil

Abstract

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major causes of deaths around the world. The leading cause is related to high cholesterol levels, therefore, controlling these levels has been a successful strategy. Among the drugs used for this purpose, atorvastatin (ATV) has great efficacy, however some side effects reduce patient adhesion. In this context, the development of ATV polymeric nanocapsules co-encapsulated with ginger (NCAtG) or grape seed (NCAtU) oil can reduce ATV toxicity and increase its efficacy. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this nanoformulations in different experimental models. The formulations had nanometric sizes and suitable physio chemical parameters. The biosafety was evaluated in terms of hemoglobin measurement, liberation of erythrocyte LDH and blood coagulation cascade by the extrinsic (PTT) and intrinsic (aPTT) pathways after exposed to the nanoformulations, were just high concentrations caused alterations in these parameters. Also, there is no cytotoxicity in the 3T3 cell lines and no alterations in the comet assay. The in vivo assays in C. elegans showed no alterations, in the survival, brood size and length. And finally, the formulations demonstrated significative effect about the reduction of the lipidic levels of the nematodes, with high lipid levels.