Conjugation of epigallocatechin gallate and piperine into a zein nanocarrier: Implication on antioxidant and anticancer potential

Abstract

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural antioxidant present in green tea is a remedy for the treatment of numerous diseases linked to oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to prepare nanoformulation of EGCG alone and along with piperine into a protein nanocarrier and to study their effect on in vitro antioxidant, haemolytic and anticancer activities. Anti-solvent precipitation method and full-factorial design expert software was used for the synthesis and optimization of EGCG loaded nanosuspension (EGCG NS) and EGCG-piperine nanocomplex (EGCG-Pip NC). The optimized nanosuspensions showed spherical morphology and stable zeta potential. Although an increase in antioxidant potential and a decrease in the haemolytic activity of EGCG were observed due to nanoencapsulation, the EGCG nanoformulation(s) displayed higher anti-cancer activity against various cell lines (HL60, SCC40, MCF7, HeLa and Colo205) in comparison to pure EGCG.