Development of Astaxanthin-Loaded Nanosized Liposomal Formulation to Improve Bone Health

Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid commonly found in marine organisms. Due to its super antioxidative ability, astaxanthin has been widely applied as a human nutraceutical supplement for health benefits. In order to enhance the bioavailability of astaxanthin, we used soybean phosphatidylcholine to encapsulate astaxanthin for liposomal formation. The physical properties of astaxanthin (asta)-loaded liposomes were determined by particle size, encapsulation efficiency and polydispersity index. The results revealed that the particle sizes of asta-loaded liposomes with various concentrations exhibited mean diameters in the range of 109 to 134 nm and had a narrow PDI value. As expected, the entrapment efficiency of liposomes loaded with a low concentration of astaxanthin (0.05 μg/mL) was 89%, and that was reduced to 29% for 1.02 μg/mL asta loading. Alizarin red staining and calcium content measurement showed that there was a significant reduction in calcium deposition for 7F2 osteoblasts treated with asta-loaded liposomes (0.25–1.02 μg/mL) in comparison with the cells treated with drug-free liposomes and mineralization medium (MM). Although liposomal formulation can reduce the cytotoxicity of astaxanthin and possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastogenic activities in RAW264.7 macrophages, asta-loaded liposomes with high concentrations may suppress ALP activity and mineralization level in 7F2 osteoblasts. Therefore, astaxanthin extract may be able to protect bones against oxidative stress and inflammation through liposomal formulation.