ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We developed a method to load lycopene into maltodextrin and cyclodextrin in an attempt to overcome the poor bioavailability and improve the anti-inflammatory effect of this polyphenol METHODS: Nanosized lycopenes were encapsulated into biodegradable amphiphillic cyclodextrin and maltodextrin molecules prepared using a high pressure homogenizer at 15,000~25,000 psi. Cell damage was induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in a mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. The cells were subjected to various doses of free lycopene (FL) and nanoencapsulated lycopene (NEL). RT-PCR was used to quantify the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA levels, while ELISA was used to determine the protein levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6. RESULTS: NEL significantly reduced the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-1beta at the highest dose, while not in cells treated with FL. In addition, NEL treatment caused a significant reduction in IL-6 and TNF-alpha protein levels, compared to cells treated with a similar dose of FL. In addition, mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 enzyme in the activated macrophages was more efficiently suppressed by NEL than by FL. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results suggest that lycopene is a potential inflammation reducing agent and nanoencapsulation of lycopene can further improve its anti-inflammatory effect during tissue-damaging inflammatory conditions.