Formulation and characterization of Liposomal glutathione as a key component in mitigation of Kwashiorkor disease in children with malnutrition

Introduction

Malnutrition in children is one of the main causes of poverty. Especially in low economic countries are facing such situation among the people especially among the children [1]. Kwashiorkor is a protein deficiency illness brought on by a protracted period of low-quality or inadequate protein consumption [2]. Hence, Protein deficiency is having direct relation with the malnutrition, and Kwashiorkor is one of the very common diseases in children (Figure 1). The mechanism for the same was depicted in figure 1 where the relation of Kwashiorkor disease with the malnutrition has described [3]. Child malnutrition is a persistent issue and ongoing difficulty in India like countries. It was reported that in India, children below 5 years age, death rate is 69 per cent with malnutrition in the year 2022 [4]. Indian Government as well as WHO have taken various standard treatment using F-100 [5]. Apart from, various food supplements are also marketed vastly as nutraceutical products in mitigation of malnutrition in children. There are many ingredients are used for nutraceutical formulation as food supplement. Among them, liposomes are crucial for enhancing the bioavailability, transport, and stability of bioactive substances in nutraceuticals and func­tional food systems. The unique bilayer hydrophilic and lipophilic structure of these liposomes acquire great advantages like higher encapsulation efficiency, solubility of Bioactive compounds, and delivery of various substances, including nutrients, and drugs, to specific targets in the body [6]. The bioactive compounds of various nutraceuticals and botanical extracts lack water solubility, poor stability, and have fast metabolism leading to poor oral bioavailability. Nutraceuticals often act as both preventive and curative measures, containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, amino acids, and other bioactive compounds that are isolated or concentrated to provide both nutritional and health benefits [7]. In the nutraceuticals industry, liposomes are employed to enhance bioavailability and absorption by encapsulating these compounds within liposomes, their stability can be improved, and they can be protected from degradation in the digestive system, leading to more effective delivery and utilization in the body. The microencapsulation technology provides a protective barrier around bioactive compounds, increases bioavailability, product solubility, increases resistance to acids and digestive enzymes. It allows for more precise targeting of the encapsulated ingredient in the preparation of food and nutraceuticals. Glutathione is a naturally occurring tripeptide antioxidant present in various fluids, tissues, and cells. Glutathione is an amino acid composed of cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid [8]. It is vital for reducing oxidative stress, boosting metabolic detoxification, preserving redox equilibrium, and monitoring the immune system. It is crucial to maintain glutathione levels in the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases. Studies are concentrated on liposome-mediated targeted administration because glutathione is susceptible to degradation in the acid environment of the stomach. As a secure substitute for maintaining neuronal glutathione, investigations on liposomal formulations of glutathione enclosed in lipids developed from lecithin and glycerol. Recent research has demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-atherogenic properties of this encapsulation technology for mass production of nutraceuticals and to improve healthy life among the children [9].