Abstract

Microbial resistance to various drugs has become an escalating global concern, reducing the efficacy of synthetic antibiotics as microorganisms increasingly develop resistance. Consequently, the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents derived from natural sources has gained critical importance. This study investigates the formulation and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles incorporating modified chitosan and sodium alginate, utilizing andaliman fruit extract (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium), and further evaluates their antimalarial activity. The developed formulation, NANO-PLGA-Cs/NaA-ZAF-DC, consists of PLGA nanoparticles modified with a synergistic combination of chitosan and sodium alginate, serving as a delivery carrier for Z. acanthopodium fruit extract in antimalarial therapy. Nanoparticles were synthesized using the solvent evaporation technique, whereby the non-polar phase was added to the polar phase under magnetic stirring, followed by particle size reduction through ultrasonic treatment. The physicochemical and stability properties of the formulation were assessed using both descriptive and statistical approaches. Results demonstrated that NANO-PLGA-Cs/NaA-ZAF-DC exhibited spherical morphology with a monodisperse distribution. The nanoparticles displayed a mean particle size of 205.90 ± 1.79 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.25 ± 0.02 PDI, and a zeta potential of –13.90 ± 1.43 mV. The encapsulation efficiency reached 68.52% ± 2.40%. The formulation remained stable under freeze-thaw conditions and during 30 days of storage at 2°C–8°C, showing improved physicochemical characteristics and enhanced dilution capacity. Antimalarial evaluation using the Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase assay revealed moderate inhibition at a concentration of 100 ppm, suggesting promising potential for further therapeutic development. Overall, this nanoformulation highlights the feasibility of a targeted, biopolymer-based strategy for antimalarial drug delivery.

Key words: Zanthoxylum acanthopodium, PLGA, chitosan, sodium alginate, antimalarial.