Preparation of ICA-loaded mPEG-ICA nanoparticles and their application in the treatment of LPS-induced H9c2 cell damage

Hydrophilic polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (mPEG) was grafted onto Icariin (ICA) by succinic anhydride to form a polyethylene glycol-Icariin (mPEG-ICA) polymer. The structure of the polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). mPEG-ICA nanoparticles loaded with ICA were prepared by physical embedding of ICA by dialysis. The particle size was determined to be (220 ± 13.7) nm, and the ζ potential was (2.30 ± 1.33) mV by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Under a transmission electron microscope (TEM), the nanoparticles were spherical, and the morphology was regular. In the medium with pH 7.4, the drug release rate of mPEG-ICA nanoparticles reached (52.80 ± 1.70)% within 72 h. At pH 6.8, the cumulative drug release of nanoparticles reached (75.66 ± 0.17)% within 48 h. Treatment of the nanoparticles with LPS-treated H9c2 cells maintained cell viability, reduced LDH release and exerted antiapoptotic effects. Moreover, ICA-loaded mPEG-ICA nanoparticles significantly decreased the mRNA expression of the myocardial inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6M. In conclusion, ICA-loaded mPEG-ICA nanoparticles protected against LPS-induced H9c2 cell injury.