Characterization and evaluation of nanoencapsulated diethylcarbamazine in model of acute hepatic inflammation

- DEC has anti-inflammatory properties by interfering with the metabolism of arachidonic acid and NF-κB pathway.
- The present study evaluates for the first time a nanoencapsulated formulation of diethylcarbamazine in an inflammation model.
- DEC-NANO presents higher efficacy with a significant reduction in the standard dose and treatment time.

Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is a potent anti-inflammatory drug. The aim of the present study was to characterize the nanoencapsulation of DEC and to evaluate its effectiveness in a model of inflammation for the first time. C57BL/6 mice were divided into six groups: 1) Control; 2) Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4); 3) DEC 25 mg/kg + CCl4; 4) DEC 50 mg/kg + CCl4; 5) DEC-NANO 05 mg/kg + CCl4 and 6) DEC-NANO 12.5 mg/kg + CCl4. Liver fragments were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and processed for Western blot, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Serum was also collected for biochemical measurements. Carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injury, observed through increased inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, PGE2, COX-2 and iNOS), changes in liver morphology, and increased serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, TGO and TGP, LDL, as well as reduced HDL levels. Nanoparticles containing DEC were characterized by diameter, polydispersity index and zeta potential. Treatment with 12.5 nanoencapsulated DEC exhibited a superior anti-inflammatory action to the DEC traditional dose (50 mg/kg) used in murine assays, restoring liver morphology, improving serological parameters and reducing the expression of inflammatory markers. The present formulation of nanoencapsulated DEC is therefore a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of inflammatory hepatic disorders, permitting the use of smaller doses and reducing treatment time, while maintaining high efficacy.