查找使用阿拉丁产品的科研文献

Fabrication of modified Nicandra Physodes (Linn.) Gaertn. Pectin/sodium alginate composite gel beads for colonic delivery of curcumin

Jiaojiao Sun,Huan Zhang,Shuai Zhang,Rongqiang Chen,Yuan Duan,Fengchen Li,Xiaoyu Wang,Yonghong Meng,Yurong Guo

Sodium alginate (SA) gel beads are well-known carriers for curcumin (Cur) delivery, however their insufficient release efficiency in the colon restricts their application. To address this issue, we developed composite gel beads as Cur carriers, designated as PME-NPGP+SA, which comprised SA and pectin derived from Nicandra Physodes ( Linn. ) Gaertn. , modified with pectin methyl esterase. The encapsulation of Cur within PME-NPGP+SA gel beads was successful, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 80.67 % and a retention rate of 87.20 % over a 10-day storage period. The incorporation of PME-NPGP fraction increased both the swelling rate and the colonic degradation of the SA-Cur gel beads without compromising their hardness. In subsequent in vitro digestion simulations, the composite gel beads showed an efficient colonic release rate of Cur at 49.98 %, outpacing the 28.93 % release rate of the SA gel beads. This study lays the foundation for the efficient colonic delivery of Cur.

Curcumin-loaded polyvinyl alcohol/nanocellulose/ nano zinc oxide nanofiber membranes with enhanced strength, moisture resistance, and antibacterial properties

Xinbin Ji,Yulong Xiang,Jing Guo,Fucheng Guan,Da Bao,Qiang Yang,Yihang Zhang,Zheng Li,Minghan Li,Xuecui Song

To meet the practical application demands of nanofiber membranes (NFMs) under humid conditions, a PVA/NC/ZnO (S) NFM was successfully fabricated by incorporating nano zinc oxide (ZnO (S) ) into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/nanocellulose (NC) matrix, combined with nitrogen-assisted thermal treatment. The synergistic effect of ZnO ( S ) -induced heterogeneous nucleation and thermal processing significantly enhanced the crystallinity of the NFM (up to 49.71 %), improving its anti-swelling behavior and liquid absorption capacity—with an absorption rate of up to 1906 % for artificial blood. Building on this foundation, a dual-layer drug-loading strategy was developed by combining the PVA/NC/ZnO (S) NFM with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) to encapsulate curcumin (Cur). The resulting drug-loaded NFM maintained excellent mechanical strength (29.17 MPa at a 1.5 % drug loading) and demonstrated favorable moisture resistance and antibacterial activity. Moreover, its in vitro drug release behavior could be finely tuned by adjusting the drug loading and external pH conditions. Overall, the synergistic enhancement and dual-encapsulation strategy proposed in this study provides an effective solution to the common challenges of swelling and instability in traditional drug carriers under wet conditions, and demonstrates promising potential in the design and application of biomedical wound dressings.

Dual network interpenetration emulsion gels based on alginate and coffee cherry-derived polysaccharides: preparation, characterization, and curcumin delivery

Tianjun Zhang,Yunhan Zhang,Rili Hao,Dongjie Huang,Houshen Li,Bowen Zhang,Guannan Li,Yang Jiang,Dapang Li

Functional ingredient bioaccessibility is limited by instability and low solubility, thus, edible macromolecules are used to enhance delivery. This study presents a safe, sustainable method to prepare dual-network emulsion gel (CSEG). The gel is formed via Ca 2+ -induced crosslinking of sodium alginate (SA) and coffee cherry-derived polysaccharide (CCP) to enhance bioavailability. CCP and SA form a stable bimolecular network through hydrogen bonds and calcium ion coordination, improving gel stability. The effects of CCP/SA ratios on CSEG properties and curcumin delivery are also investigated. At the optimal CCP: SA mass ratio of 3:2, the system shows superior crosslinking, forming a strong gel that resists gastric shear while maintaining viscoelasticity. The curcumin-loaded CSEG demonstrates excellent pH stability, preserving curcumin in gastric fluid even in highly acidic conditions. In vitro digestion studies reveal that CSEG boosts curcumin bioavailability from 29.62 % to 63.94 %. This work reveals emulsion gel structure-function links, guiding bioactive carrier design.

Hyaluronic Acid-Based ROS-Responsive Nanomicelles for Curcumin Delivery in the Treatment of LPS-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Teng Liu,Mingyan Yang,Yawen Yu,Xinxin Bai,Yaping He,Fei Yao,Yami Wu,Guangcan Zhou,Yanmei Wang,Dong Qi,Huaying Fan

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical syndrome characterized by a rapid decline in kidney function, with inflammation being a key driver. In this study, the hydrophobic drug Rhein was conjugated to hyaluronic acid (HA) via esterification of its carboxyl group. The HA was then modified with 4-hydroxymethylphenylboronic acid pinacol ester (PBAP), which is responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, curcumin was loaded onto this construct to develop a ROS-responsive nanodelivery system (RHP@Cur). In vitro, the nanoparticles showed good ROS responsiveness in H 2 O 2 medium and successfully targeted the CD44 receptors on macrophages. Compared to curcumin alone, RHP@Cur significantly inhibited the secretion of NO and TNF-α and blocked NF-κB activation, with more pronounced effects. RHP itself also exhibited some anti-inflammatory effects. In an in vivo AKI model, the anti-inflammatory effects of RHP@Cur were consistent with the in vitro results. H&E staining results showed that RHP@Cur significantly improved kidney pathological damage. Immunohistochemical results revealed that it reduced the deposition of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in the kidneys, with better effects than curcumin and RHP. These results suggest that Rhein exerts a synergistic anti-inflammatory effect, and its potential for combined use with curcumin for kidney therapy makes RHP@Cur more effective than RHP in treating AKI. In addition, since RHP@Cur delivers Cur, it enhances the therapeutic effect of Cur. Therefore, RHP@Cur provides a potential effective means for the treatment of acute kidney injury.

Tannic Acid/Fe(III)-Coated Curcumin Self-Assembled Nanoparticles for Combination Therapy to Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Jialing Li,Ning Han,Mingyue Ruan,Hongmei Wei,Yunan Dong,Haitong Zhang,Zishuo Guo,Shouying Du,Pengyue Li

Background/Objectives:Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) exhibits pronounced biological heterogeneity, aggressive behavior, and a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. The conventional treatments for TNBC have notable limitations: surgical resection may leave residual tumor cells; chemotherapy (CT) frequently induces systemic toxicity and drug resistance; and radiotherapy damages surrounding organs and compromises the patients’ immune function.Methods: Herein, we designed a carrier-free nanodrug delivery system composed of self-assembled Curcumin nanoparticles (NPs) coated with a tannic acid (TA)/Fe(III) network (denoted as CUR@TA-Fe(III) NPs). We systematically evaluated the in vitro cytotoxicity and photothermal–ferroptosis synergistic therapeutic efficacy of CUR@TA-Fe(III) NPs in 4T1 breast cancer cells, as well as the in vivo antitumor activity using 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse models.Results:CUR@TA-Fe(III) NPs had high drug loading efficiency (LE) of 27.99%, good dispersion stability, and photothermal properties. Curcumin could inhibit the growth of 4T1 cancer cells, while TA-Fe(III) efficiently converted light energy into heat upon exposure to near-infrared (NIR) light, leading to direct thermal ablation of 4T1 cells. Additionally, TA-Fe(III) could supply Fe(II) via TA, increase intracellular Fe(II) content, and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the Fenton reaction, in turn inducing lipid peroxidation (LPO), a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and glutathione depletion, eventually triggering ferroptosis.Conclusions:This treatment strategy, which integrates CT, PTT, and ferroptosis, is expected to overcome the limitations of traditional single-treatment methods and provide a more effective method for the treatment of TNBC.

Temperature/pH/reduction-sensitive multiple stimulus-responsive nanogels synthesized by one-pot method for design as curcumin carriers

Jinyun Cai,Haiyi Zhong,Xinghai Huang,Jianwei Luo,Peiyuan Li

Curcumin (Cur) is of interest due to its widely reported pharmacology, which is limited by its low water solubility and low bioavailability of clinical use. Here, we report the characterization and application of a multiple stimulus-responsive nanogel loaded with Cur. Sensitive P(AM-co-NIPAM) nanogels for pH, temperature, and reduction stimuli were prepared by reflux precipitation polymerization method using AM and NIPAM as raw materials. DLS and SEM analyses showed that the fabricated nanogels had a uniform size distribution with spherical and nucleated-shell structures. By adjusting the feeding amounts of reactive monomers, cross-linkers, and initiators, a series of monodisperse nanogels with different particle sizes could be obtained. The representative nanogels have different Cur-loaded behaviors at different temperatures, times, and initial concentrations of the drug, as well as a sensitive release to changes in pH, temperature, or reducing conditions. Cur-P(AM-co-NIPAM) nanogels showed superior antioxidant activity over the free Cur in vitro . Meanwhile, it inhibited LPS and H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress, which could effectively inhibit the cellular production of excessive reactive oxygen species and had a protective effect against LPS-induced cellular damage. This nanogel controlled release system significantly improved the safety limit of Cur without hemolytic behavior and had good cytocompatibility. The successful development of such Cur nanogels will lead to advanced materials that can be functionalized and optimized for the controlled delivery of small molecules or biomolecules for targeted therapeutic and biomedical applications.

Natural borneol improves cellular uptake of curcumin to enhance its photodynamic bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739

Zhenlong Zhou,Ruoxin Chen,Pengzhen Li,Penghui Fan,Lin Ma,Xinyu Cai,Yuchao Hou,Binbin Li,Jianyu Su

Photodynamic inactivation (PDI), a non-thermal sterilization method, has attracted considerable attention due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness. Curcumin (Cur), a food-grade photosensitizer, exhibits photodynamic antimicrobial activity based primarily on its efficiency in intracellular accumulation. However, Cur's low water solubility and the barriers presented by the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria challenge its ability to penetrate the cytoplasm. Natural borneol (NB), a monoterpene food flavoring agent, has also been shown to improve the efficiency of drug absorption. In this study, we demonstrated that NB significantly improved the cellular uptake of Cur, thereby enhancing its photodynamic bactericidal activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) ATCC 8739, a potential alternative to enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7. This effect was attributed to NB's ability to disrupt the integrity of the E. coli bacterial membrane, thereby increasing cellular permeability. Transcriptomic analysis further confirmed that NB dysregulated the expression of genes associated with bacterial membrane structure and function in E. coli . Consequently, the increased accumulation of Cur in E. coli led to excessive production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon exposure to 6.5 J/cm 2 blue light (BL). These ROS, analyzed biochemically and transcriptionally, primarily disrupted bacterial membrane structure and function, the antioxidant system, and ultimately caused bacterial death. Remarkably, this combined strategy not only reduced E. coli contamination in the tested orange juice, but also preserved its nutritional quality. In conclusion, this research provides an innovative and effective approach to maintaining food safety.

Novel curcumin derivatives N17 exert anti-cancer effects through the CSNK1G3/AKT axis in triple-negative breast cancer

Ziyou Huai,Zijian Li,Wei Xue,Shujing Li,Yinjiu Huang,Xin Cao,Qinjun Wei,Yuanyuan Wang

Curcumin, extracted from Zingiberaceae and Araceae rhizomes, is clinically used for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. Its safety and potential make it a promising base for designing enhanced derivatives. The focus now is on optimizing curcumin and synthesizing more potent 1,4-pentadien-3-ones, which have anti-cancer activities. In the realm of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive and invasive form with high metastatic potential, the need for innovative treatments is acute. The challenges posed by chemotherapy resistance, recurrence, and TNBC’s heterogeneity have emphasized the necessity for novel therapeutic approaches. Our strategy involved the integration of a quinoxaline ring into 1,4-pentadien-3-one , followed by subsequent modifications. In this study, N17 demonstrated the ability to induce cell death and effectively suppress cell proliferation in breast cancer cells. These observed anti-cancer effects were attributed to the inhibition of p-AKT(S473), a key regulator implicated in both cell apoptosis and the modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, our investigation indicated N17 achieves its inhibitory effects on p-AKT(S473) by specifically targeting the CSNK1G3 protein. Remarkably, N17 not only impedes the EMT process but also triggers apoptosis through the CSNK1G3/AKT signaling axis. These findings provide the critical role of CSNK1G3 as an anti-cancer regulator in TNBC, establishing N17 as a pharmacological intervention with immense promise for treating cancer metastasis.

Enhanced penetration and anti-psoriatic efficacy of curcumin by improved smartPearls technology with the addition of glycyrrhizic acid

Nan Jin,Jianhu Lin,Caiyun Yang,Chenyuan Wu,Jingwen He,Zejun Chen,Qian Yang,Jing Chen,Guiping Zheng,Lingling Lv,Han Liang,Jianmin Chen,Zhipeng Ruan

smartPearls technology is one appropriate method to produce anti-psoriatic curcumin (Cur) topical delivery system. To prevent the sedimentation of loaded silica and release changing over the storage, which are disadvantages of smartPearls production, extra glycyrrhizic acid (GA) was added in classical smartPearls ingredients (active and porous material) to get an improved smartPearls production (Cur-GA-silica). The capacity of Cur-GA-silica to remain the gelation state after mixing with water was superior compared to that of the solid cluster without GA and that of the physical mixture of Cur, GA and silica. The Cur-GA-silica practically contained Cur with 1.68% ± 0.12% and showed significant difference with Cur raw drug powder in kinetic solubilities (4.55 ± 0.78 µg/mL vs 0 in 5 min; 3.26 ± 0.17 µg/mL vs 0 in 4 h) which was traceable to the amorphous state of Cur-GA-silica detected by X-ray diffractometer. With the amorphous Cur, two times as much penetrated Cur in Cur-GA-silica as in Cur raw drug powder was achieved on the imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mice model. The anti-psoriatic efficacy of Cur-GA-silica was confirmed by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) evaluation, histological evaluation and decreased IL-17A in the imiquimod-induced psoriasiform mouse skin analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In conclusion, with the addition of GA, a stable amorphous curcumin topical vehicle fabricated by smartPearls technology without extra dermal matrix is available and facilitates penetration efficacy and anti-psoriatic capacity in imiquimod-induced psoriasiform mice.

Evaluation of the PEG Density in the PEGylated Chitosan Nanoparticles as a Drug Carrier for Curcumin and Mitoxantrone

Yao Chen,Di Wu,Wu Zhong,Shuwen Kuang,Qian Luo,Liujiang Song,Lihua He,Xing Feng,Xiaojun Tao

Polyethylene glycolated (PEGylated)curcumin-grafted-chitosan (PCC) conjugates were synthesized with three PEG/chitosan feed molar ratios (1/5, 1/7.5, and 1/10), namely PCC1, PCC2 and PCC3. Chemical structures of these conjugates were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The degrees of substitution (DS) of PEG were 0.75%, 0.45% and 0.33%, respectively, for PCC1, PCC2 and PCC3by1H NMR analysis. Self-assembled PCC nanoparticles (NPs) were spherical as observed in transmission electron microscope images. Mitoxantrone (MTO)-loaded PCC NPs were prepared to analyze the particle size, zeta potential, drug loading, drug release and in vitro cytotoxicity. The MTO-loaded PCC3 NP (DS = 0.33%) possessed the smallest size (~183.1 nm), highest zeta potential (~+34.0 mV) and the largest loading capacity of curcumin (CUR, ~16.1%) and MTO (~8.30%). The release results showed that MTO-loaded PCC3 NP demonstrated the lowest percentage of MTO release and increased as pH decreased, but the CUR release could only be detected at pH 4.0. In the cytotoxicity study, MTO-loaded PCC3 NP displayed the highest cytotoxicity in HepG2 cell line and the best synergistic effect among the tested NPs. Our results suggest that the DS of PEG has impacts on the structures and functions of PCC NPs: the smaller DS of PEG was associated with the smaller size, the higher zeta potential, the slower drug release, and the higher cytotoxicity of NPs.Keywords:curcumin;mitoxantrone;synergism;PEG;chitosan nanoparticles

Enhanced oral bioavailability of self-assembling curcumin–vitamin E prodrug-nanoparticles by co-nanoprecipitation with vitamin E TPGS

Huiyun Zhang,Baoding Chen,Yuan Zhu,Congyong Sun,Michael Adu-Frimpong,Wenwen Deng,Jiangnan Yu,Ximing Xu

Electrospun Core–Sheath Nanofibers with Variable Shell Thickness for Modifying Curcumin Release to Achieve a Better Antibacterial Performance

Yubo Liu,Xiaohong Chen,Yuhang Gao,Yuyang Liu,Dengguang Yu,Ping Liu

The inefficient use of water-insoluble drugs is a major challenge in drug delivery systems. Core–sheath fibers with various shell thicknesses based on cellulose acetate (CA) were prepared by the modified triaxial electrospinning for the controlled and sustained release of the water-insoluble Chinese herbal active ingredient curcumin. The superficial morphology and internal structure of core–sheath fibers were optimized by increasing the flow rate of the middle working fluid. Although the prepared fibers were hydrophobic initially, the core–sheath structure endowed fibers with better water retention property than monolithic fibers. Core–sheath fibers had flatter sustained-release profiles than monolithic fibers, especially for thick shell layers, which had almost zero-order release for almost 60 h. The shell thickness and sustained release of drugs brought about a good antibacterial effect to materials. The control of flow rate during fiber preparation is directly related to the shell thickness of core–sheath fibers, and the shell thickness directly affects the controlled release of drugs. The fiber preparation strategy for the precise control of core–sheath structure in this work has remarkable potential for modifying water-insoluble drug release and improving its antibacterial performance.