Astaxanthin (AXT) is one of the most important fat-soluble carotenoids that have abundant and diverse therapeutic applications namely in liver disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer treatment, protection of the nervous system, protection of the skin and eyes against UV radiation, and boosting the immune system. However, due to its intrinsic reactivity, it is chemically unstable, and therefore, the design and production processes for this compound need to be precisely formulated. Nanoencapsulation is widely applied to protect AXT against degradation during digestion and storage, thus improving its physicochemical properties and therapeutic effects. Nanocarriers are delivery systems with many advantages─ease of surface modification, biocompatibility, and targeted drug delivery and release. This review discusses the technological advancement in nanocarriers for the delivery of AXT through the brain, eyes, and skin, with emphasis on the benefits, limitations, and efficiency in practice.

• MeSH
• Drug Delivery Systems * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Nanostructures administration & dosage   chemistry   MeSH
• Nanotechnology methods   MeSH
• Preventive Medicine * MeSH
• Xanthophylls administration & dosage   chemistry   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Nanoencapsulation is a promising approach to enhance the therapeutic potential of a drug. Herein, three selected naphthoquinone (NTQ) derivatives, based on the IC50 value against Trypanosoma evansi, were encapsulated using gum damar as biocompatible and biodegradable natural gum via nanoprecipitation method. Nanoformulation of NTQs (NNTQs) was less than 150 nm in size, was found to be stable and released the drug in a sustained manner. All the three NNTQs exhibited significant antitrypanosomal effect and morphological changes at approximately two to three times lesser drug concentrations. The nanoformulations exhibited enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the axenic culture of T. evansi and less cytotoxic effect on horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells relative to pure NTQs. As evidenced by flow cytometry, the NNTQs showed dose-dependent and time-dependent increased transition of live cells (AV-PI-) to early apoptotic cells (AV+PI-), late apoptotic cells (AV-PI+), and necrotic cells (AV+PI+) using annexin V/propidium iodide probe analysis. The results concluded that NNTQs induced more ROS, apoptosis and necrotic effects that exhibited more inhibitory effect on the growth of T. evansi with respect to respective NTQ by themselves.

• MeSH
• Horses MeSH
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear MeSH
• Naphthoquinones * pharmacology   MeSH
• Nanocapsules * MeSH
• Reactive Oxygen Species MeSH
• Trypanosoma * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH