Surface Modification of Nanocrystalline Cellulose for Optimized α‐Mangostin Loading and Therapeutic Applications

This study investigates the use of surfactant‐modified nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) as a carrier to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of α ‐mangostin, a bioactive compound from Garcinia mangostana . NCC was synthesized from microcrystalline cellulose via sulfuric acid hydrolysis, resulting in spherical nanoparticles (∼145.7 nm). To enhance drug loading and dispersion, NCC was modified with various ionic and nonionic surfactants. Among them, CTAB‐modified NCCs achieved the highest α ‐mangostin loading capacity, from 280.52 to 292.21 mg g −1 . The mediated NCC significantly improved α‐mangostin's biological activity, demonstrating strong antioxidant effects with IC 50 = 3.9 µg mL −1 as observed via ABTS free radical scavenging, potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC = 0.2 µg mL −1 , and enhanced cytotoxicity against HT‐29 cancer cells with IC 50 = 0.4 µg mL −1 . These findings indicate that surfactant‐mediated NCC can serve as a promising nanocarrier for hydrophobic bioactive compounds, highlighting its potential for diverse therapeutic applications.