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Mango Seed Kernel Starch Nanoparticles as Emerging Platforms for Pharmaceutical Applications

PRESENTERS:  

Sesha Rajeswari Talluri | PhD Candidate & Laboratory Manager

PRESENTER'S BIO: Talluri received her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from University of Delhi and Master’s Degree from Osmania University, India. Her core areas of research are Polymer Technology-Isolation and chemical modification of polymer from natural sources and its pharmaceutical applications in Novel Drug Delivery Systems. She is experienced in formulation design, development and characterization of semisolid dosage formulations and Novel drug Delivery Systems. She was working as Assistant Professor in pharmaceutics before joining LD. Raje is the current LDD Laboratory Manager/Safety Manager.

ABSTRACT:

Background: Mango seed kernels, an agro-industrial waste byproduct, account for approximately 40–50% of the total fruit weight and represent a rich source of starch. However, limited studies have explored the pharmaceutical applications of Mango Seed Kernel Starch (MSKS) and drug delivery systems derived from this material. The present study aimed to isolate starch from mango seed kernels (MSKS), formulate drug-loaded mango seed kernel starch nanoparticles (MSKSNPs), and evaluate their in vitro transdermal permeation potential.

Methods: MSKS was extracted using an alkaline method followed by freeze-drying. The isolated starch was characterized for its physicochemical properties and compared with corn starch. MSKSNPs were prepared via mild alkali hydrolysis combined with ultrasonication. Diclofenac sodium (DS), a widely prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was selected as the model drug.

Results: The drug-loaded nanoparticles exhibited an average particle size of 140.0 ± 3.6 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.42 ± 0.03. Transmission Electron Microscopy confirmed the globular morphology of MSKSNPs. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated a reduction in diclofenac crystal size from 33 nm (pure drug) to 14 nm, indicating partial amorphization within the nanoparticle matrix. The nanoparticles achieved an encapsulation efficiency of 92.4 ± 3.7% and drug loading of 31.08 ± 0.96%. Cumulative drug release from MSKSNPs at 6, 12, and 24 hours was 25.58 ± 1.30, 59.68 ± 2.98, and 127.5 ± 6.4 μg/cm², respectively, which was significantly higher than that of the ethanolic drug solution (p < 0.01), along with enhanced skin retention.

Conclusions: MSKSNPs were successfully synthesized using mild alkali hydrolysis and ultrasonication, demonstrating improved transdermal drug delivery performance. Skin retention was significantly higher for MSKSNPs (p < 0.05). Cytotoxicity studies indicated comparable dose-dependent toxicity profiles between formulations, with no significant difference in potency under the tested conditions (p > 0.05).