Research Article pubs.acs.org/journal/ascecg
Lignin Nanoparticle as a Novel Green Carrier for the Efficient Delivery of Resveratrol Lin Dai,*,†,‡ Rui Liu,† Li-Qiu Hu,† Zhu-Fan Zou,† and Chuan-Ling Si*,† †
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, P.R. China State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P.R. China
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S Supporting Information *
ABSTRACT: In this work, we have developed a novel green nanoparticle platform based on lignin without chemical modification. The alkali lignin (AL) was used to prepare nanoparticles with perfect spheres and well dispersibility via a simple self-assembly method by adding water to a methanol solution of AL. Finally, we showed that self-assembly of AL with the bioactive molecule resveratrol (RSV) and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles led to the formation of stable nanodrug carrier. In cytological and animal tests, the magnetic RSVloaded lignin nanoparticles (AL/RSV/Fe3O4 NPs) demonstrated good anticancer effects and enhanced in vitro RSV release and stability, drug accumulation, and better tumor reduction, as well lower adverse effects than free drugs, strongly supporting the AL NPs application as a new and highly efficient nanodelivery. Moreover, this renewable green material with its simple preparation technique and easy large-scale production would be a highly potential candidate for many poorly soluble drugs. KEYWORDS: Lignin, Nanoparticles, Drug delivery, Sustainability, Resveratrol
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INTRODUCTION Sustainable development always was the existing guideline of human society which has penetrated into all fields and industries, including biomedicine. However, most biomedical products were designed and developed by fossil fuel resources which not only effect the environment but also increase cost. Lignin, an aromatic organic macromolecule compound, belongs to the second most abundant lingocellulosic resource that constitutes a large portion of the cell walls of vascular plants, with cellulose being the first most abundant. In the pulp and paper industry, more than 50 million tons of lignin are extracted per year.1 Due to environmental concerns, lignin should be recovered to avoid environmental pollution. Although lignin is a plentiful and cheap material, a very small quantity (
