Preparation, physicochemical characterization, and bioactivity evaluation of berberine-entrapped albumin nanoparticles

Abstract

Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid with several clinical therapeutic applications. Its low water solubility, absorption, and cellular bioavailability diminish BBR's therapeutic efficacy. In this study, BBR was encapsulated into bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (BSA NPs) core to reduce BBR limitations and enhance its clinical therapeutic properties. Several physicochemical characterization tools, such as Dynamic Light Scattering and Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopic measurements, field emission transmission electron microscopy surface morphology, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, thermal stability analysis, and releasing studies, were used to evaluate the BBR-BSA NPs. Compared to BBR, BBR-BSA nanoparticles demonstrated superior free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacities, anti-hemolytic and anticoagulant efficacies, and antimicrobial activities, as demonstrated by the findings of the in vitro studies. Furthermore, a stressed pancreatic rat model was induced using a high-fat, high-sucrose diet plus carbon tetrachloride injection. The in vivo results revealed that BBR-BSA NPs substantially restored peripheral glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Oral administration of BBR-BSA NPs also improved pancreatic β-cells homeostasis, upregulated pancreatic antioxidant mechanisms, inhibited oxidants generation, and attenuated oxidative injury in the stressed pancreatic tissues. In conclusion, our in vitro and in vivo results confirmed that BBR-BSA NPs demonstrated more potent antioxidant properties and restored pancreatic homeostasis compared to BBR.

Bio synthesis, comprehensive characterization, and multifaceted therapeutic applications of BSA-Resveratrol coated platinum nanoparticles

“…Overall, platinum core in the nanocomposite may catalyse the antioxidant action, whereas RSV donates hydrogen and scavenges free radicals, while BSA coating enhances nanoparticle stability and bioavailability. Overall, the interaction between RSV and the PtNP’s surface may improve antioxidant capacity synergistically 41 , 47 , hence explaining the better anti-oxidant activity of Pt-BSA-RSV NPs composite as compared to the individual RSV or PtNPs.…”

Berberine inhibits high fat diet-associated colorectal cancer through modulation of the gut microbiota-mediated lysophosphatidylcholine

“…To further validate the contribution of the BBR regulated gut microbiota to HFD-associated colorectal tumourigenesis, we transferred fecal samples from HFD-fed mice, with or without BBR administration, to AOM/DSS-induced CRC mice with microbiota depletion through antibiotics treatment (Figure 8 A). Given that BBR bioavailability is very low in vivo 21 , 22 , high concentrations of BBR might have remained in the stool. To determine the content of BBR remaining in the stool before FMT, we used LC-MS to confirmed that the content of BBR remaining in fecal suspension was approximately 170 ug/ml on the basis of comparison with a BBR standard sample, which was significantly lower than the concentration of BBR (100mg/kg/d) directly treated in HFD-fed mice (Figure 8 B).…”

Berberine modulates cardiovascular diseases as a multitarget-mediated alkaloid with insights into its downstream signals using in silico prospective screening approaches

“…Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Traditional Chinese herbs such as Coptis chinensis and Berberis vulgaris . Berberine is identified as a safe and curative agent to treat diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and pathogenesis of CVDs through upregulating cellular glucose and lipids metabolism, attenuating oxidative stress generation and inflammation, and inhibiting apoptotic signals ( Younis et al, 2022 , Wang et al, 2023 ). ER stress response potentiates myocardial cells apoptosis, cardiac remodeling, and heart failure.…”