Ginsenoside Rg1 Nanophytosome synthesis and their characterization: An initiative towards the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of healthy adults. The disease progresses rapidly and is fatal, leaving patients paralyzed and unable to breathe. The cause of the disease and its progression remains poorly understood. Currently, there are no known cure or effective treatment available for ALS. But with the advances in medicine and technology, there has been a huge rise in data produced. The present study is focused on synthesis and characterization of Nanophytosomes (NP) to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of Ginsenoside Rg1 compound. The nanoparticles were visualized by SEM and analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the type of interactions holding the components together in the NP. The size of the NP was in the range of 180 to 195nm. A comparative antimicrobial assay against strains of E.coli for NP and Ginsenoside Rg1 showed positive results for NP with increasing CFUs of E.coli while Ginsenoside Rg1 showed results only at lower CFUs of the Bacteria. Dispersion studies suggested that the NP had a maximum release rate of the drug at about 4 hours. This suggests the stability and sustained release property of the NP as compared to Ginsenoside Rgl which acts immediately on the target. Antioxidant's property of the NP was compared with Ginsenoside Rg1 by testing scavenging potential through assays such as SOD, NO and DPPH. The antioxidant activity was concentration dependent and the anti-oxidative properties of NP was found in the close range with that of Ginsenoside Rg1 compound. NP could possess antioxidative properties which could last longer than the compound alone when compared. The current technology thus could be a boon to the treatment of chronic diseases like ALS, Parkinson's Disease, AD as it improves the bioavailability and efficacy of the drug it encapsulates.