Anchoring 20(R)-Ginsenoside Rg3 onto Cellulose Nanocrystals To Increase the Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) exhibit attractive properties as carriers for bioactive molecules, including their large surface area, charge characteristics, and abundant surface hydroxyl groups, among others. In this study, we used CNCs as carriers for a hydrophobic drug, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (here abbreviated as 20(R)-Rg3), to improve its bioavailability, dispersity, and antioxidation activity in an aqueous system. The CNC/20(R)-Rg3 nanocomposites were fabricated and then characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The particle size of 20(R)-Rg3 was in the range of 8–22 nm. In vitro hydroxyl radical scavenging by the 2-deoxyribose oxidation method and the salicylic acid hydroxylation method showed that the CNC/20(R)-Rg3 nanocomposites had much higher antioxidation activity (33.58% and 48.62%) than CNC-free 20(R)-Rg3, water-dispersed 20(R)-Rg3, and CNCs.