Solid lipid nanoparticles-mediated delivery of grape seed-derived proanthocyanidins to airway epithelial cells reduce oxidative stress

Chronic respiratory diseases, which are still incurable and need novel therapeutic tools, are characterized by unsurmountable oxidative stress. Grape phenolic compounds, such as proanthocyanidins, are endowed with well-recognized anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Given that these natural anti-oxidants have poor water solubility and oral bioavailability, we have developed a drug delivery system based on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), in order to encapsulate these therapeutic molecules. Since we previously demonstrated the safety and the internalization efficiency of SLN in airway epithelial cells in vitro (Castellani et al., submitted), our aim was to test their efficacy in reducing oxidative stress when used as carriers for molecules derived from grape seed extracts (GSE).