Pterostilbene-frankincense essential oil loaded PLGA nanoparticles: Preparation and preliminary biological evaluation

Nanotechnology-based delivery systems offer promising strategies to enhance the therapeutic potential of poorly soluble bioactive compounds. In the present study, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) co-loaded with pterostilbene (PTE) and frankincense essential oil (FREO) were developed using an oil-in-water emulsion solvent evaporation method. The prepared NPs were characterized for their physicochemical properties and evaluated for biological activities. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed an average particle size of 184.2 nm, polydispersity index of 0.30, and zeta potential of –30.08 mV, indicating satisfactory colloidal stability. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of predominantly spherical nanoparticles with nanoscale dimensions. FT-IR analysis suggested successful incorporation of PTE and FREO into the PLGA matrix without evidence of chemical incompatibility. The cytotoxic potential of the NPs was evaluated against HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells using the neutral red uptake assay, which demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability with an IC 50 value of 46.84 µg mL⁻ 1 , compared with 94.56 µg mL⁻ 1 for free PTE. In addition, a notable antioxidant activity was observed in the DPPH assay with an IC 50 of 44.81 µg mL⁻ 1 , equivalent to 13.26 µg mL⁻ 1 of ascorbic acid. The NPs also exhibited moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity against Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans , respectively. These findings suggest that FREO-PTE-PLGA NPs represent a promising nanocarrier system for enhancing the biological activity of natural bioactive compounds for potential therapeutic applications.