LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
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2026
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IF 7.1
Mengna Zhang,Qinchao Zhu,Tingmei Chu,Wei Xia,Hualing Xie,Jianchang Jin,Gongshuai Song,Xichuang Guo,Jinyan Gong
Peimine (P) and curcumin (CM) possess significant bioactivities but suffer from poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and limited stability. To address these challenges, P-CM self-assembled microparticles (SMPs) were prepared via non-covalent interactions and systematically characterized. The results demonstrated that optimal self-assembly reaction conditions occurred at pH 9, 25 °C, and a P:CM molar ratio of 1:1, yielding uniform nanoparticles (284 nm, PDI = 0.202) with a zeta potential of −19.77 mV. P-CM SMPs exhibited superior antioxidant activities, with ABTS, DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP values of 62.69%, 34.18%, and 81.02%, respectively, as well as enhanced anti-inflammatory activity compared to their individual components. To further improve stability and control release, the P-CM SMPs were encapsulated in a hollow zein-chitosan (HZ-CH) composite, achieving high encapsulation efficiency (96.0%). HZ-CH-SMPs exhibited storage stability over time and sustained-release behavior under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. This study provides a theoretical basis for designing delivery strategies integrating molecular self-assembly and protein-polysaccharide encapsulation to overcome solubility and bioavailability limitations of bioactive compounds in functional foods.
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JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
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2026
·Vol. 24
·期 1
·327
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IF 15
Chen Xiaoyu,Hu Yubo,Xu Chenyu,Lian Tengye,Li Haocong,Sun Lu,Sun Shiduo,Hu Meilin,Wang Yinsong,Liu Dayong
Background Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by excessive oxidative stress, persistent bacterial biofilms, and progressive destruction of periodontal tissues. Current clinical treatments primarily focus on controlling bacterial infection but often show limited long-term efficacy due to unresolved immune dysregulation. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that simultaneously target microbial biofilms and the pathological immune microenvironment are urgently needed. In this study, we developed an injectable dual-drug hydrogel incorporating curcumin (CUR) and glycyrrhizic acid (GL) for the treatment of periodontitis. Methods CUR was dissolved in melted polyethylene glycol distearate and then dispersed in an aqueous medium to form micelles (CURM). Compared to CUR, CURM exhibited improved solubility and stability, thereby displaying greatly enhanced antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. CURM were subsequently embedded within a hydrogel self-assembled from glycyrrhizic acid and polyvinyl alcohol (GLH) to form a dual-drug hydrogel system (CURM@GLH). Experimental periodontitis was established in mice to test their in vivo effects. Results Owing to the intrinsic anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of glycyrrhizic acid, the hydrogel exhibited combined effects in regulating immune dysregulation. The CURM@GLH effectively protected cells from oxidative damage, reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, promoted macrophage polarization from the proinflammatory M1 phenotype toward the pro-regenerative M2 phenotype, and downregulated proinflammatory cytokine expression. In a ligature-induced rat model of periodontitis, local administration of the hydrogel significantly alleviated periodontal oxidative stress and inflammation and markedly reduced alveolar bone resorption. Conclusions This study presents an injectable dual-drug hydrogel, CURM@GLH, that integrates biofilm inhibition with immunomodulatory regulation, offering a promising host-directed therapeutic strategy for periodontitis. The proposed approach provides new insights into the design of multifunctional biomaterials for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases associated with biofilm persistence and immune imbalance. Graphical
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JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
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2026
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IF 4.9
Wei Xu,Jiaxiang Zang,Lu Zhou,Chuanlan Zhang,Liling Song,Dongyang Zhu,Xinfang Liu,Lihua Zhang
This study investigates the drug co-delivery, cytotoxicity and cell phagocytosis of the ternary compound of β-CD/CUR/MTX prepared via co-precipitation methods. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), 1 H NMR and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the successful encapsulation of CUR and MTX. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed rock-like morphologies for β-CD, β-CD/MTX, and β-CD/CUR/MTX. While β-CD/CUR exhibited micro-scaled rod structures. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the compound maintain stability up to 200°C, although the ternary β-CD/CUR/MTX demonstrated an initial mass loss at approximately 120°C. Molecular docking studies indicated a strong binding affinity of β-CD with both CUR and MTX driving by hydrogen bonding. DPPH radical scavenging assays demonstrated that the β-CD/CUR and β-CD/CUR/MTX exhibited enhanced water solubility and antioxidant capacities compared to β-CD and β-CD/MTX. In vitro release studies revealed β-CD/MTX displayed a controlled release behavior of MTX, achieving 80-95% within 120 minutes. Whereas CUR loaded β-CD/CUR compound exhibited a rapid release of approximately 50% within 20 minutes. The release profile of β-CD/CUR/MTX was significantly influenced by pH, in which the release at pH 5.3 was higher than that at pH 7.4, and exceeding 80% after 120 minutes. Importantly, the compounds (β-CD/CUR and β-CD/CUR/MTX) at a concentration of 80 μM had a significant inhibitory cell viability and phagocytosed behavior on HepG2.
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BioNanoScience
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2026
·Vol. 16
·期 5
·305
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IF 4
Qian Yunzhu,Pan Xujie,Zhou Xuefeng,Ma Buyun,Liu Zhaolin,Cai Zhiyan
Bone regeneration in compromised environments, such as infected or inflammatory defects, remains a significant clinical challenge. This study addresses the limitations of curcumin (Cur), including poor solubility, low bioavailability, and limited antibacterial activity, by developing a series of curcumin-metal complexes through chelation reactions. These complexes were encapsulated into nanoliposomes and subsequently incorporated into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/polycaprolactone (PLGA/PCL) electrospun scaffolds to construct multifunctional bone regeneration platforms. The fabricated scaffolds exhibited uniform nanofibrous morphology, enhanced mechanical properties, and improved surface hydrophilicity, which collectively promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. Among the complexes, Cur-Cu demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity and superior osteogenic performance, significantly enhancing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and upregulating integrin β1/α1 gene expression in MC3T3-E1 cells. In contrast, Cur-Zn exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , while Cur-Ca showed limited functional benefits due to rapid ion release and potential cellular interference. These findings highlight the tailored functionality of Cur-metal complexes. Cur-Cu scaffolds are promising for repairing bone defects under oxidative stress, whereas Cur-Zn scaffolds are effective in preventing implant-associated infections. This work provides a rational strategy for designing microenvironment-responsive biomaterials with integrated antioxidant, osteogenic, and antibacterial properties for advanced bone tissue engineering.
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CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
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2026
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IF 12.5
Wenhui Jiang,Shunlan Luo,Kehan Du,Kai Yuan,Yuanhua Cong,Xiaoping Zeng,Dawei Wang,Hongyang Zhao,Huinan Suo,Liu Yang,Xiaowen Ou,Hao Jiang,Qianqian Liu,Jiangyu Wu,Zhuo-Ran Yang
Bacterial biofilms in infected wounds and implant-associated infections are highly tolerant to antibiotics and often coexist with excessive inflammatory reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in treatment failure and delayed healing. Here, we report a photothermal-responsive curcumin-loaded gold nanorod-silica hybrid nanocomposite (Cur@T-Au) for antibiotic-free infection control and infectious microenvironment remodeling. Gold nanorods were electrostatically assembled onto hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (H Au) and further coated with polyethyleneimine to yield a positively charged carrier (T-Au) with bacterial-adhesive capability. Upon near-infrared irradiation, Cur@T-Au demonstrated rapid photothermal hyperthermia synergized with photothermal-responsive triggered structural degradation for controlled release of curcumin, exhibiting broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and potent antibiofilm efficacy. Meanwhile, Cur@T-Au effectively scavenged free radicals and reduced intracellular ROS, and markedly modulated inflammatory responses. In vivo , Cur@T-Au significantly reduced bacterial burden and accelerated healing in infected wound and implant-related infection models, accompanied by improved tissue regeneration and inflammation resolution. Collectively, Cur@T-Au provides an on-demand photothermal-responsive sequential therapeutic strategy that integrates bactericidal action, ROS mitigation and degradability, offering a promising non-antibiotic platform for treating biofilm-associated infections.
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FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
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2026
·Vol. 52
·期 2
·40
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IF 3
Zhang Shasha,Li Xinran,Gao Yaxin,Dong Qian,Jin Xiaomin,Shi Pan,Dong Jingquan
Difenoconazole (DFZ) is a persistent triazole fungicide that leads to aquatic toxicity and ecosystem damage due to its environmental persistence and high toxicity. Curcumin (CUR), a natural polyphenol derived from turmeric, exhibits strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. This study assesses CUR’s protective role against DFZ-induced kidney injury in carp and investigates its mechanisms. Carp were exposed to DFZ for 30 days, with dietary supplementation of 400 mg/kg CUR. H&E staining revealed that CUR significantly reduced DFZ-induced histopathological damage in the kidneys. Dihydroethidium staining and biochemical assays demonstrated that CUR effectively lowered Reactive Oxygen Species levels and lipid peroxidation. Through biochemical kits, qPCR, and Western blotting, it was found that CUR decreased T-AOC and iron content, while activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, thereby alleviating ferroptosis. CUR also upregulated the expression of xCT and GPX4, increased GSH levels, and further suppressed ferroptosis. In terms of inflammation, CUR improved the response by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and increasing anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10, TGF-β1). With regard to apoptosis, CUR inhibited pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, Cleaved-caspase3, Cleaved-caspase9, Cytochrome c) and restored the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. In conclusion, CUR alleviates DFZ-induced kidney injury in carp by inhibiting ferroptosis through the Nrf2/GPX4 axis, while reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. This study highlights CUR as a promising natural agent for mitigating environmental toxicity caused by triazole fungicides. Graphical
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PubMed
高影响因子
Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies
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2026
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IF 6.9
Haoran Li,Yongsheng Ni,Yumeng Li,Baocai Xu
Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a promising non-thermal antimicrobial technology. However, its practical application is constrained by the low-light utilization efficiency and poor adhesion of photosensitizers. To address these limitations, we developed a curcumin/octyl gallate/chitosan (COS) coating. COS was prepared via a two-stage self-assembly process by incorporating a curcumin/octyl gallate (CUR/OG) assembly into a chitosan (CS) matrix. The CUR/OG, characterized by a band gap of 2.3 eV, imparted visible-light activity to the COS. Furthermore, the COS exhibited good adhesion, storage stability, and photostability. Compared to pristine CS, the COS exhibited a 1.3-fold enhancement in adhesion strength. Upon visible-light irradiation, it achieved up to a 6.5-log CFU reduction in the population of four representative foodborne bacteria ( Pseudomonas fragi , Brochothrix thermosphacta , Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Staphylococcus aureus ). Biochemical analyses indicated that COS-mediated PDI was associated with the disruption of bacterial cell membrane integrity, impairment of energy metabolism, and induction of oxidative stress. Under visible light, the COS extended the refrigerated shelf-life of prepared mutton to 1.5 times that of the untreated control. Moreover, the COS-mediated PDI maintained approximately 99.99% reduction in bacterial counts after three consecutive reuse cycles on food contact surfaces. This study provided an effective approach for enhancing the bactericidal activity and adhesion of photodynamic coatings, offering a promising solution for preservation of prepared mutton.
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FOOD CHEMISTRY
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2026
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IF 10.4
Chaoping Fang,Jingtao Mei,Xiaohua Wu,Licong Yang
Water-soluble antioxidants exhibit strong activity but limited effectiveness in edible oils due to poor lipid solubility and short residence time. In this study, a food-grade sodium alginate–chitosan hydrogel bead system encapsulating curcumin-loaded selenium nanoparticles (Cur@Se) was developed to enhance antioxidant delivery and stability in lipid matrices. The Cur@Se-loaded bead(chitosan concentration 5 mg/mL) formed a dense crosslinked network with improved mechanical strength (65% increase in hardness), high encapsulation efficiency (98%), and enhanced anti-swelling capacity (20%), enabling sustained release in the oil phase. This bead exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Schaal oven tests demonstrated this hydrogel bead significant oxidative protection in soybean oil, reducing peroxide, acid value, p-anisidine, and total oxidation values by 31%, 39%, 33%, and 53%. Comparable protection was observed in rapeseed oil. This work highlights a food-grade, dual-functional delivery strategy integrating sustained release, interfacial antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial effects, providing a promising alternative to synthetic antioxidants for edible oil preservation.
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高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
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2026
·Vol. 27
·期 12
·5253
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IF 5.6
Yi Liu,Na Wang,Heng Cai
Complex II deficiency is a rare inherited mitochondrial disorder characterized by structural and functional deficiency of complex II, for which there is currently no definitive drug treatment. Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-aging properties. By constructing a mutant strain of theSaccharomyces cerevisiaeSDH2gene, we can mimic the functional defects of Complex II caused by humanSDHBmutations, and then explore the ameliorative effect of curcumin on Complex II functional defects. Cell viability was assessed using MTT and CFU. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by measuring DCFH-DA and antioxidant enzyme activity, while the expression levels of respiratory chain-related genes were detected by qRT-PCR. Experimental results demonstrate that curcumin can restore cell growth and viability, scavenge ROS from cells as well as positively regulate mitochondrial function; however, the above results are regulated by the concentration of curcumin. In conclusion, these findings provide experimental support for curcumin as a preliminary intervention for Complex II deficiency and other mitochondrial diseases, further enriching the evidence for the potential application of curcumin in mitochondrial-related diseases.
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FOOD CHEMISTRY
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2026
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IF 10.4
Lv Ya-Nan,Wang Ping-Ping,Fu Xiong,Chen Chun
Optimized emulsion gels were stabilized by crosslinker-free thiolated pectin. • Enhanced interfacial adsorption was verified by quartz crystal microbalance. • Curcumin encapsulation was enhanced by thiolated pectin-based emulsion gels. • Colon targeted and sustained release under in vitro simulated digestion was achieved. In this study, thiolated pectin with tunable modification degrees was successfully synthesized. Structural confirmation was achieved and the thiol group content was determined to range from 321.25 to 565.47 μmol/g. Thiolated pectin effectively stabilized gel-like emulsions with storage modulus (981.6–2027.2 Pa) remarkably higher than that of unmodified ones (46.4 Pa). Microscopic analysis revealed a honeycomb-like network that tightened with higher thiolation levels. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation demonstrated improved interfacial adsorption and the formation of a cohesive film via disulfide bond. The curcumin encapsulation was significantly improved to 89.87% by thiolated pectin, and curcumin retention was approximately doubled relative to unmodified pectin. Furthermore, the curcumin release was significantly inhibited in the simulated gastric and small intestinal phases, while its cumulative release during the simulated colonic phase reached up to 71.75%. This work proposed an exogenous crosslinker-free strategy for the encapsulation of lipophilic bioactives, which exhibited considerable potential for colon-targeted delivery. Download: Download high-res image (138KB) Download: Download full-size image
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International Journal of Pharmaceutics-X
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2026
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IF 7.9
Liang He,Chenke Wei,Yukai Guo,Xinting Yang,Quan Lin,Wan Wang,Chao Zheng
Postoperative recurrence remains a major challenge in prostate cancer (PCa) treatment, and insufficient drug concentration at the tumor site represents a critical barrier to effectively suppressing tumor regrowth and lymph node metastasis. To address these limitations, we developed a photo-crosslinkable oxidized konjac glucomannan/gelatin-methacrylate hydrogel (OG@Cur) for localized and sustained delivery of curcumin (Cur) during the postoperative period. This hydrogel forms a porous and adhesive network that enables prolonged curcumin release during biodegradation while simultaneously facilitating hemostasis. Cur released from the hydrogel maintained a high local concentration at the surgical site, thereby enhancing antitumor activity through the induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation. In a postoperative PCa recurrence model, this localized and sustained delivery strategy significantly suppressed tumor regrowth and reduced lymph node metastasis, while exhibiting good biocompatibility. Overall, this hydrogel system, which continuously releases curcumin, provides an effective localized therapeutic approach for preventing postoperative prostate cancer recurrence and may offer advantages over conventional systemic therapies.
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Scientific Reports
·
2025
·Vol. 15
·期 1
·1-13
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IF 3.9
Meng Zhuo-Nan,Chen Jian-Yuan,Yu Chong,Zheng Ai-hong,Reddy O. Sreekanth,Liu Kai-Yan,Su Yong-Rui,Zhang Shi-Tai,Wang Yin-Shuang,Gu Hang-Yu,Wang Fu-Wei,Xu Song-Cheng,Sun Li-Tao,Chen Bing-Chen,Lai Wing-Fu,Wu Guo-Qing,Zhang Da-Hong
Surgical resection of the tumor remains the preferred treatment for most solid tumors at an early stage, however, residual tumor cells after surgical resection poses a considerable obstacle in cancer treatment. Here, we developed a gel carrier using a cellulose-based gel-forming polymer (CT) combined with gelatin sponge (GS) to fill the resection cavity and delay postoperative residual tumor growth. The fabricated gel exhibited a porous nature along with gradual swelling and erosion over time. Curcumin (Cur) and apatinib (Apa) were loaded into CT gel (CT-CA), and a sustained release behavior was observed at pH 7.4 and 6.4 at 37 °C. The preclinical studies indicated that the mouse weight and tissue exhibited no apparent change after administration of the GS-CT compared with the control. The in vivo fluorescence images showed that GS-CT has the capability to regulate the release of Cur and Apa, facilitating the accumulation of these two agents at the surgical tumor site. Moreover, GS-CT loaded Cur and Apa (GS-CT-CA) delayed postoperative residual tumor growth in intraperitoneal and subcutaneous postoperative mouse models. These findings demonstrated that our gel carrier system significantly prevents postoperative residual tumor growth because of enhanced drug accumulation and sustained drug release at the tumor site.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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药剂学
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生物医学工程
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