Improved oral nutraceutical-based intervention for the management of obesity: pterostilbene-loaded chitosan nanoparticles.

To formulate and assess the oral anti-obesity effect of polymeric-based pterostilbene (PS)-loaded nanoparticles. Pterostilbene-hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex loaded in chitosan nanoparticles (PS/HPβCD-NPs) were prepared and characterized . Cytotoxicity, pharmacokinetics and anti-obesity effects were assessed on Caco-2 cell line and high-fat-diet-induced obesity rat model, respectively. assessment included histological examination, protein and gene expression of obesity biomarkers in adipose tissues. Safe PS/HPβCD-NPs were successfully prepared with improved bioavailability compared with free PS. PS/HPβCD-NPs showed an improved anti-obesity effect, as supported by histological examination, lipid profile, gene expression and protein expression of SIRT1, COX2, IL-6 and leptin. Orally administered PS nanoparticles represent a new and promising anti-obesity strategy owing to the sustainable weight loss and minimal side effects; this may be of great socio-economic impact.