Nano-encapsulation of tea polyphenols/ catechins in poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) biopolymer and its biological activity

Abstract

Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world. Clinical and epidemiological study has revealed usefulness of green tea ingredients in various medicinal applications. Many reports suggested that the green tea consumers have reduced risk of generating cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and cancer diseases. This can be attributed to some of the potent active metabolites present in the green tea. Fractions of green tea polyphenols called catechins posses higher medicinal values among others. However, polyphenols/catechins are unstable and poorly absorbed. In this work, polyphenols and catechins are encapsulated in the poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles and their biological activity after release was tested.