Optimization and characterization of PLGA nanoparticles loaded with Astaxanthin and evaluation of anti-photodamage effect in vitro

Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid with high beneficial biological activities, such as antioxidant function and scavenging oxygen free radicals, but its application is limited because of poor water solubility and low bioavailability. Here, we prepared and optimized poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with astaxanthin using the emulsion solvent evaporation technique and investigated the anti-photodamage effect in HaCaT cells. The four-factor three-stage Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the nanoparticle formulation. The experimental determination of the optimal nanoparticle size was 154.4 ± 0.35 nm, the zeta potential was 22.07 ± 0.93 mV, encapsulation efficiency was 96.42 ± 0.73%, and drug loading capacity was 7.19 ± 0.12%. The physicochemical properties of the optimized nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, DSC, and TGA. In vitro study exhibited the excellent cell viability and cellular uptake of optimized n...