ANTI INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF LYCOPENE AND ITS BASED CHITOSAN NANOFORMULATION-AN In vitro STUDY

Background: Nanotechnology has been emerging as an interdisciplinary field that is undergoing rapid development and has brought enormous changes in dentistry. Lycopene and chitosan is a naturally derived polymer with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Since periodontal diseases occurs as a result of inflammatory process, this vitro study has been done to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of lycopene and its based chitosan nano formulations to incorporate into periodontics.

Materials and Methods: The collection and preparation of lycopene extract was done and stored for further use. Synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles was done with the addition of glacial acetic acid along with Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP). Centrifugation was done and characterisation of chitosan nanoparticles using ultraviolet (UV)-viz-spectroscopy spectroscopy. The anti-inflammatory activity of chitosan nanoparticles was measured and compared using the standard diclofenac sodium assay.

Results: The anti inflammatory activity of lycopene, chitosan and chitosan-lycopene nanoformulation increased with increase in concentrations. At 30 μL, 40 μL lycopene showed a higher antiinflammatory activity than standard, Chitosan has better anti-inflammatory activities at higher concentrations when compared to standard diclofenac sodium. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of the combination of lycopene and chitosan was lesser than the standard.

Conclusion: Chitosan nanoparticles have the better antiinflammatory activity when compared with lycopene and lycopene-chitosan nanoformulations. Further formulations of chitosan in various forms such as gel and microspheres can be potentially used for controlled drug delivery in the treatment of periodontitis.