Leimann, Fernanda VitóriaSouza, Luma Borges deOliveira, Byanca Pereira Moreira deRossi, Bruna FranzonSilva, Patricia Sabino daShiraishi, Carlos Seiti HurtadoKaplum, VanessaAbreu, Rui M.V.Pereira, CarlaBarros, LillianPeron, Ana PaulaIneu, Rafael PortoOechsler, Bruno FranciscoSayer, ClaudiaAraujo, Pedro Henrique Hermes deGonçalves, Odinei Hess2013-01-092013-01-092023Leimann, Fernanda Vitória; Souza, Luma Borges de; Oliveira, Byanca Pereira Moreira de; Rossi, Bruna Franzon; Silva, Patricia Sabino da; Shiraishi, Carlos Seiti Hurtado; Kaplum, Vanessa; Abreu, Rui M.V.; Pereira, Carla; Barros, Lillian; Peron, Ana Paula; Ineu, Rafael Porto; Oechsler, Bruno Francisco; Sayer, Claudia: Araujo, Pedro Henrique Hermes de: Gonçalves, Odinei Hess (2023). Evaluation of berberine nanoparticles as a strategy to modulate acetylcholinesterase activity. Food Research International. eISSN 1873-7145. 173, p. 1-140963-9969http://hdl.handle.net/10198/7873Researchers have concentrated efforts in the search for natural-based reversible inhibitors for cholinesterase enzymes as they may play a key role in the treatment of degenerative diseases. Diverse plant alkaloids can inhibit the action of acetylcholinesterase and, among them, berberine is a promising bioactive. However, berberine has poor water solubility and low bioavailability, which makes it difficult to use in treatment. The solid dispersion technique can improve the water affinity of hydrophobic substances, but berberine solid dispersions have not been extensively studied. Safety testing is also essential to ensure that the berberine-loaded solid dispersions are safe for use. This study investigated the effectiveness of berberine-loaded solid dispersions (SD) as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE). Docking simulation was used to investigate the influence of berberine on AChE, and in vitro assays were conducted to confirm the enzymatic kinetics of AChE in the presence of berberine. Berberine SD also showed improved cytotoxic effects on tumoral cells when dispersed in aqueous media. In vivo assays using Allium cepa were implemented, and no cytotoxicity/genotoxicity was found for the berberine solid dispersion. These results suggest that berberine SD could be a significant step towards safe nanostructures for use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.engSolid dispersionEncapsulationAChEKineticBioactiveBerberis vulgarisjournal article10.1016/j.foodres.2023.1132951873-7145