Copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.) oil-based nanocapsules: a preliminary study of development, characterization and biocompatibility evaluation

The purpose of this work was to develop Copaiba oil (Cop) nanocapsules (CopNc) intended to overcome the drawbacks of the in natura Cop administration. The nanoprecipitation technique proposed by Fessi et al. (1989) was carried out using copaiba oil, poly ɛ-caprolactone, span® 60, tween® 80, acetone and purified water. The particle size distribution and zeta potential of the CopNc were periodically evaluated over 30 days. MTT assay was performed to estimate the CopNc (50 to 250 µg.mL-1) cytotoxicity against murine macrophage cells. Results revealed that the particle size (215 ± 10 nm), the polydispersity index (0.15 ± 0.01) and the zeta potential (-18 ± 1 mV) remained stable, overtime (p>0.05). In addition, the CopNc showed no cytotoxicity. Indeed, they showed a proliferative effect from 100 to 250 µg.mL-1. Thus, these preliminary results demonstrated the successful development and promising safety of CopNc, highlighting its potential as a prospective antiinflammatory product.