Exploration of capsaicin-encapsulated lignin nanoparticles for alleviating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: In-vitro study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rising public health concern with limited effective therapeutic options, making it a significant risk factor for end-stage liver disease and cirrhosis, globally. This increasing prevalence of NAFLD underscores the development of innovative therapeutic approaches to confront the increasing prevalence of NAFLD. This research explores the potential of capsaicin-encapsulated lignin nanoparticles (Cap-LNPs) as a novel targeted therapeutic approach. Capsaicin, a bioactive compound has demonstrated anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-steatotic, and anti-fibrotic properties that have a protective role against NAFLD. Lignin, recognized for its non-toxic, eco-friendly, multifunctional, and biodegradable attributes, has garnered significant attention as a versatile material for drug delivery systems. Incorporating these two natural compounds into nanoparticles offers a promising approach to enhance capsaicin's bioavailability, stability, and targeted delivery to hepatic cells. The Cap-LNPs were synthesized using the nanoprecipitation technique and characterized by a mean diameter of 200.2 ± 5.79 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.137 ± 0.0459 with spherical morphology, encapsulation efficiency of 96.85 ± 0.73 %, and drug loading capacity of 16.14 ± 0.12 %. In-vitro studies demonstrated that Cap-LNPs substantially reduced intracellular accumulation of triglyceride compared with free capsaicin and control groups, confirmed by Oil Red O staining and triglycerides (TG) quantification.