Lignin Nanoparticles as Smart Delivery Vehicles for the Ginseng-Assisted Treatment of Microbial Infections

Ginseng, a plant root-based herb, has a long tradition of being used as a medicine for a variety of diseases. The major active components of ginseng are ginsenosides, which have been demonstrated to have a range of therapeutic benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, allergic, antidiabetic, and anticancer. However, the major limitation of ginseng is hydrophilicity, which affects its bioavailability and half-life. To address this challenge, we present an improved method for developing lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) as a delivery carrier for a drug molecule ginseng. This approach aims to improve the bioavailability, dispersity, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the drug. We fabricated ginseng-loaded lignin nanoparticles (GnLNPs) and then characterized them by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Additionally, drug loading, in vitro drug release, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity were evaluated. Our results demonstrated that the developed GnLNPs had a particle size of ∼138 nm with a 95% drug loading efficiency. Moreover, significant antimicrobial activity was revealed using developed GnLNPs as compared to ginseng and bare LNPs. The results indicated that selecting lignin as a nanodrug carrier system acted as a smart delivery platform for improving the antimicrobial potential of ginseng.