Abstract
Naringin (NR), 4’,5,7 trihydrocyflavanone-7-rhamnoglucoside is found in citrus fruit. This flavanone can possess many biological functions, as it is composed of a phenolic compound, naringenin, and a disaccharide, neophesperidose. Poly(naringin) (p(NR)) particles were synthesized via a micro-emulsion method in lecithin/gasoline solution. Particle size ranged from ~ 1 to 10 microns with a median particle size of 2 microns. The particles were characterized using UV-Visible and florescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA); zeta potential was -16.1 mV in distilled water. The hydrolytic degradation of p(NR) at 37.5 oC was investigated at pH 5.4, 7,4, and 9. Finally, the biocompatibility of NR and p(NR) particles with mammalian cells was tested with COS-1 cells, a standard fibroblastic cell line derived from African green monkey kidney. Because of their phenolic groups and negative zeta potential, these p(NR) particles may be promising new candidates for drug delivery and/or serum protein absorption.
