Formulation of a gambier catechin-loaded nanophytosome and the MTT assay on HeLa cell lines

Background: Catechins are good free radical scavengers but exhibit low stability and permeability. Nanophytosomes are currently being developed as the delivery system for phytoconstituents to protect them from decomposition by oxidants or enzymes and increase their permeability. Objectives: To formulate gambier catechin-loaded nanophytosomes and perform the MTT assay on HeLa cell lines. Method: Five formulations were prepared using soya lecithin at various molar ratios of cholesterol by thin-layer hydration and sonication. The nanophytosomes were characterised by the determination of vesicle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, morphology with Transmission Electron Microscope, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, freeze and thaw test, entrapment efficiency, and the in vitro cytotoxicity test. Result: The optimal formula (F4) with a molar ratio of 1:1:0.8 (catechin:lecithin:cholesterol) resulted in spherical vesicles with an average size (106 +/- 0.218) nm, zeta potential-68 mV, polydispersity index 0.412, 93.5% entrapment efficiency and that were stable to temperature changes. FT-IR showed the formation of catechins and lecithin complexes. The activity of catechin-loaded nanophytosomes against HeLa cells showed an IC50 of 36.307 g/ml. There was a significant difference in the average percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis in all treatment groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Catechin-loaded nanophytosomes with a molar ratio of 1:1:0.8 (catechin:lecithin:cholesterol) showed moderate cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell lines.