Improving the biological properties of berberine by using gellan and gum acacia as a potential delivery carrier

The present work deals with the improvement of antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer activity of berberine by incorporating it in gums. Berberine loaded gellan-acacia gum nanocomplexes (Ber/Ge-AGNCs) were synthesized by ionic complexation method and optimized by a 3-level central composite design. The optimized formulation was characterized using different techniques. The antioxidant activity of Ber/Ge-AGNCs was assessed in terms of DPPH free radical scavenging assay and antibacterial activity was evaluated using agar well diffusion method. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies against HeLa cell line were also evaluated using MTT assay. Furthermore, a drug release study was conducted in vitro over a period of 48 h. The optimized Ber/Ge-AGNCs showed a particle size of 207.2 nm as indicated by TEM. The in vitro dissolution study of Ber/Ge-AGNCs displayed a prolonged release of berberine over 48 h. The results of antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity assay showed significantly higher scavenging potential and better cytotoxic effect of Ber/Ge-AGNCs in comparison to free berberine, respectively. The evaluation of antibacterial activity showed that encapsulated berberine had a better antimicrobial effect on microbes in contrast to berberine alone. Overall, these results suggest that GeAGNCs are a promising nanocarrier for developing safe and efficient drug delivery vehicles for berberine.