Preparation and characterization of hyaluronic acid nanoparticles for procyanidins hepatocellular and mitochondrial targeting delivery

The purpose of this study was to design and fabricate hepatocyte and mitochondria dual-targeted nanoparticles for improving the stability and utilization of procyanidins (PC). PC nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation method using (5-carboxypentyl) (triphenyl) phosphonium bromide modified PC as core materials, lactobionic acid and 3-amino phenylboronic acid modified hyaluronic acid as wall materials. The obtained nanoparticles were spherical, with small size, high encapsulation efficiency (> 80 %) and strong antioxidant capacity. Compared with free PC, the stability of loaded PC was improved under high temperature, UV radiation, long-term storage, freeze-thaw cycles, simulated digestion and other conditions. In vitro studies proved that nanoparticles had reactive oxygen species-responsive, hepatocyte and mitochondria dual targeting functional properties. In addition, dual-targeted PC nanoparticles could also inhibit the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species level and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential caused by high-fat. This work proposes a new strategy to deliver active compounds to hepatocytes and even mitochondria, which can provide new ideas for nutritional interventions in liver-related chronic diseases induced by high-fat diets.