Encapsulation of the natural antioxidant aureusidin in biodegradable PLA nanoparticles

The purpose of this article was to investigate for the first time the nanoencapsulation of a naturally-occurring flavonoid, i.e. aureusidin, exhibiting a variety of properties including antioxidant. In particular, the encapsulation efficiency of aureusidin in biodegradable poly(lactic acid) PLA nanoparticles was evaluated using the emulsification-solvent evaporation technique, while some of the pertinent parameters affecting the properties of the formed nanoparticles were investigated. The obtained results were promising, suggesting that the particular polymer-technique system is a valid choice for aureusidin encapsulation and protection.