Lipid–Polymeric Nanoencapsulation of Standardized Camellia sinensis Extract Enhances Antiangiogenic Activity and Ocular Biocompatibility
Sarah Kelly Fernandes, Anízio Bastos de Souza, Líbia Andressa Leandro de Paula, Alessandra Cristine de Souza Matavel, Marcos Paulo Gomes Mol, Mariana de Oliveira Almeida, Vanessa Heloísa Ferreira de Faria, Carolina Paula de Souza MoreiraABSTRACT
Camellia sinensis (green tea) contains bioactive polyphenols with potential antiangiogenic activity; however, its therapeutic application is limited by extract complexity and challenges related to delivery. This study developed a lipid‐polymeric nanoparticle system containing a chemically standardized C. sinensis extract and evaluated its physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and antiangiogenic activity. The optimized nanoformulation exhibited a mean diameter of 202.0 ± 5.2 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.156 ± 0.017, and zeta potential of −25.1 ± 0.6 mV, with an encapsulation efficiency of approximately 34.6 ± 1.5%. The formulation maintained suitable physicochemical characteristics during storage and showed no relevant irritation in the HET‐CAM assay. In the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, extract‐loaded nanoparticles reduced vascularization, displaying an antiangiogenic effect comparable to bevacizumab. These findings support lipid–polymeric nanoencapsulation as a promising strategy to improve the biological performance of complex plant‐derived extracts for ocular angiogenic disorders.