Preparation of Oral Core–Shell Zein Nanoparticles to Improve the Bioavailability of Glycyrrhizic Acid for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

In this study, oral colon-targeted adhesion core−shell nanoparticles were designed by applying FA-Zein as the core and using pectin as the shell to enhance the low bioavailability exhibited by glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and the anti-inflammatory effect in specific parts of the intestine. As indicated by the results, the nanoparticles (NPs) remained stable in the stomach and small intestine, while pectins began to degrade and release GA in considerable amounts in the colon with the abundant flora. Subsequently, folate-acid targeting was further assessed with Raw 264.7 and NCM 460 cells. Lastly, NPs were reported to exhibit high adhesion on the colon by using the DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mouse model. Moreover, as indicated by in vitro and in vivo studies, nanoparticles could decrease the levels of MPO and TNF-α by reducing macrophages and neutrophils. In brief, this study provides an ideal loaded natural anti-inflammatory drug delivery system to treat ulcerative colitis.

Bioinspired and biomimetic strategies for inflammatory bowel disease therapy

“…89 Previous studies have shown that folate targeting FR-b in inflammatory colon macrophages is also a potentially effective strategy for functionalized nanoparticle-targeted modifications. 90,91 Wu et al reported folate-decorated oral colon-targeted adhesion core-shell nanoparticles loaded with glycyrrhizic acid (GA), 92 and demonstrated that they could undergo efficient receptor-mediated uptake by macrophage cells. Huang et al exploited the high expression of macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL) in the presence of inflammation to synthesize a galactosylated chitosan (GC) shell for preparing a new colon-targeted TNF-a siRNA nanomedicine carrier.…”

Xanthotoxin (8‐methoxypsoralen): A review of its chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity

“…Cancer is an important disease‐causing factor that influences the health of all human beings (Iyer & Patil, 2014; Wu et al, 2022). With the irregular lifestyle of human beings and the aggravation of environmental pollution, the number of people being affected by cancer is rising year by year.…”

A Short Commentary of Nanotechnology on Traditional Chinese Medicine

“…Growing evidence has shown that nanotechnology was effective on the TCM to improve its bioavailability. Wu et al reported an FA-Zein (core) combined with pectin (shell) to promote the bioavailability of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) on licorice and the anti-inflammatory effect in specific parts of the intestine [4]. Xie et al developed poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles of curcumin, "Cur-PLGA-NPs", for studying the effect and mechanisms on the oral bioavailability of curcumin.…”