EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
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2026
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IF 5.7
Hui Tao,Yao Yuan,Cheng Chen,Jiahui Hong,Yan Wen,Haigang Zhang
Exposure to extreme heat is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI), and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) may contribute to the pathogenesis of AKI under heat stress (HS). Curcumin has demonstrated protective effects on renal function. However, the precise role of NETs and the underlying mechanism by which curcumin confers protection against HS-induced AKI remain unclear. An AKI rat model was established under dry/heat conditions for 1.5 h, followed by recovery periods of 2 h and 24 h at room temperature, respectively. Rats were pretreated with curcumin at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg prior to HS exposure. Renal injury was assessed by measuring serum creatinine (CREA) and urea nitrogen (UREA) levels, H&E staining, and Tunel assays. Immunofluorescence and ELISA kits were used to quantify NETs levels and inflammation both in vitro and in vivo . The results confirmed that neutrophil infiltration and NETs formation correlated with kidney tissue damage following HS in a dry/heat environment. Treatment with curcumin attenuated HS-induced tubular injury, hemorrhage, and necrosis, and reduced serum UREA and CREA levels. Furthermore, renal levels of inflammatory factors including interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and NETs were significantly decreased after curcumin treatment. In vitro experiments showed that curcumin can inhibit neutrophil activation and suppressed NETs formation by blocking reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MPO production. In summary, curcumin ameliorates dry/heat stress-induced AKI in rats by reducing NETs formation. Moreover, inhibition of NETs may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for mitigating AKI following HS.
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FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
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2026
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IF 13.8
Zhexun Yang,Ziqi Xie,Sili Xiao,Yiling Zhang,Weidong Bai,Qiaoyu Liu
This study systematically compared the interactions between gelatins derived from different collagen sources (fish and bovine, corresponding to type I and type II collagen) and curcumin (Cur), focusing on the structural and interfacial properties of the resulting complexes. Four gelatin-Cur complexes (fish/bovine type I and II) were prepared via pH cycling, all achieving encapsulation efficiencies exceeding 80%. Particle size and zeta potential analysis showed that type I gelatin (FGI: 632.51 nm, −18.53 mV; BGI: 664.47 nm, −17.22 mV) had smaller particle sizes and higher absolute zeta potentials than type II gelatin (FGII: 747.13 nm, −16.69 mV; BGII: 764.13 nm, −15.02 mV). Upon complexation with Cur, these gelatin-Cur complexes showed increased interfacial contact angles (80.28°–89.26°) and equilibrium surface tensions (56.28–63.61 mN/m), while the dynamic oil–water interfacial tension continuously decreased and reached equilibrium within 300 s. Fluorescence quenching of gelatin by Cur followed a static mechanism, and complex formation was primarily driven by hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic forces. The binding affinity (Ka) followed the order: FGI/Cur (7.59 × 10 6 L/mol) > BGI/Cur (7.44 × 10 6 L/mol) > FGII/Cur (6.91 × 10 6 L/mol) > BGII/Cur (6.42 × 10 6 L/mol), consistent with molecular docking results. Cur preferentially localized to the Ser129–Glu135 region of type I gelatin and the Asn179–Ser183 region of type II gelatin. The resulting gelatin-Cur particles effectively stabilized Pickering emulsions. After storage, the TBARS values of gelatin-Cur stabilized emulsions were at least 50.82% lower than those of gelatin-stabilized emulsions. Rheological analysis revealed G' > G'' (elastic-dominated) and shear-thinning behavior, with Cur loading further improving the elastic modulus. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of by-product gelatin in combination with Cur.
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
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2026
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IF 8.7
Zhiqiang Zhao,Lanfeng Hui,Mingyue Zhao,Tingting Zhang,Dayong Ding
Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) have attracted increasing attention as sustainable Pickering stabilizers owing to their amphiphilic structure, biocompatibility, and intrinsic antioxidant activity. In this study, LNPs with antioxidant and UV-shielding properties were prepared from bamboo lignin via a p -toluenesulfonic acid/hydrogen peroxide (TPHP) pretreatment and subsequently applied to stabilize oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsions. To regulate particle interactions, NaCl was introduced to adjust the ionic strength. At low salt concentrations, partial screening of electrostatic repulsion promoted reversible association among LNPs, leading to the formation of a weak electrostatic network that enhanced interfacial anchoring and interfacial layer compactness. Under the conditions of 1.0 wt% LNPs and 100 mM NaCl, the emulsion displayed small and uniform droplet sizes, pronounced viscoelastic behavior, and excellent storage stability exceeding 60 days. Using curcumin as a model bioactive compound, the LNPs/NaCl-stabilized system demonstrated high curcumin retention together with improved thermal stability (85.09% retention at 60 °C) and strong UV resistance (88.96% after 72 h). These results highlight the role of the LNPs-mediated electrostatic network in enhancing emulsion stability and protecting sensitive bioactive compounds. This work provides new insights into the design of sustainable lignin-based Pickering emulsions for stabilizing and protecting functional ingredients. Download: Download high-res image (202KB) Download: Download full-size image
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FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2026
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IF 10.4
Jingyi Chen,Jiayi Zou,Yuting Yang,Wei Li,Qihui Shui,Man Tian,Yu Zhou,Xingfa Han,Tao Chen,Lijun Zhou
Novel camellia oil-based microemulsion for curcumin delivery. • Microemulsion had ∼12 nm droplet size, high uniformity, and superior stability. • It boosted curcumin bioaccessibility 2.6-fold vs. macroemulsion. • Its bioaccessible fraction retained higher antioxidant activity. • Molecular dispersion of curcumin in microemulsion was confirmed. This study compared a camellia oil-based microemulsion (CUR-ME) with a macroemulsion (CUR-MacE) of identical composition to enhance the delivery of curcumin. The CUR-ME exhibited a nanoscale droplet size (∼12 nm), low polydispersity (PDI < 0.1), and superior physical stability. During in vitro digestion, CUR-ME achieved a 2.6-fold higher bioaccessibility of curcumin (79.5%) compared to CUR-MacE (30.4%). The bioaccessible fraction from CUR-ME also demonstrated significantly stronger retention of antioxidant activity in ABTS and FRAP assays. Thermal analysis confirmed the molecular dispersion of curcumin within the microemulsion and revealed compatible interactions with the camellia oil phase. These findings underscore the microemulsion structure as a decisive factor for improving the bioaccessibility and preserving the antioxidant activity of curcumin, offering a superior delivery strategy for functional foods. Download: Download high-res image (128KB) Download: Download full-size image
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
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2025
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IF 8.5
Siyan Liang,Huan Liao,Guangyu Wu,Jingwen Zhong,Peiyuan Li
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) present a significant clinical challenge due to persistent bacterial colonization that exacerbates oxidative stress and impairs tissue repair. To address this, we developed a novel bilayer microneedle system (PI@Cur MN) combining polydopamine (PDA)-stabilized indocyanine green (ICG) at the tips with a Curcumin (Cur)-loaded backing layer, enabling synergistic photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) antimicrobial therapy coupled with antioxidant functionality. The PDA-encapsulated ICG nanoparticles (PI) in microneedle tips demonstrated targeted near-infrared (NIR, 808 nm) responsiveness, achieving rapid bacterial eradication through concurrent PTT-induced hyperthermia and PDT-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), with 99.89 % and 99.74 % reduction against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA , respectively. Meanwhile, the backing layer containing curcumin remained on the skin surface as a drug reservoir. After the needle was inserted, it enabled a sustained release of Cur, which provided long-lasting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This multifunctional platform integrates multimodal antibacterial action, oxidative stress alleviation, and minimally invasive drug delivery, offering a clinically promising solution for managing SSTIs and promoting infected wound healing.
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JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
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2025
·Vol. 23
·期 1
·1-18
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IF 12.6
Zhang Yifan,Zhou Ziyi,Liu Na,Wang Jing,Guo Qingxia,You Yong,Mao Kaiping,Wang Yuanfei,Zhang Weina,Wu Tong
Excessive scarring can impede the normal skin movement, resulting in decreased body flexibility and functional abnormalities. These issues, in turn, impact patients’ daily lives and comfort. To prevent the pathological healing of infected wounds, this study developed a composite hydrogel microneedle that possesses stable mechanical properties and favorable biocompatibility. The microneedles, composed of gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels, were integrated with curcumin-loaded PLGA microparticles to promote wound healing and allow the controlled release of curcumin within a suitable timeframe, thereby minimizing the formation of hypertrophic scars. Zinc oxide nanoparticles were integrated into the base layer of the microneedle, forming a physical barrier and exhibiting significant antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Due to the unique structural and functional design, we demonstrated that this class of microneedles could accelerate the healing of infected wounds and downregulate the expression of α-SMA and collagen I in scar fibroblasts, thereby showing potential to inhibit scar formation. In vivo investigations further validated the effective repair of infected wounds in rat skin and demonstrated the inhibition of pathological scars using hypertrophic scar models in rabbit ears. Altogether, these materials exhibit promising potential to provide a new option for preventing pathological scarring in the treatment of infected wounds.
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FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2026
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IF 9.8
Hui Shen,Jingsong Zhu,Yinxue Jiao,Yajing Qi,Teng Li,Wenhui Qi,Ying Shu,Kaixuan Zhao,Fengyang Wu,Chi Ren,Zhisheng Zhang
This study systematically explored the effects of sodium alginate (SA) on the structural and interfacial properties of donkey myofibrillar protein (DMP), and the curcumin stability and delivery performance in the DMP-based Pickering emulsion. The results showed that SA interacted with DMP via hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, increased surface hydrophobicity, and electrostatic repulsion. These interactions promoted the formation of the three-dimensional network within the emulsion continuous phase, significantly improving its rheological properties and storage stability. Molecular docking showed that SA enhanced the binding affinity between curcumin and DMP. Consequently, SA addition (optimal at 0.4%) significantly increased the curcumin embedding efficiency and stability ( P < 0.05). In vitro digestion studies demonstrated that SA inhibited the rate of curcumin release during gastric digestion and improved its bioaccessibility by approximately 10%. This study provides a protein-polysaccharide-based strategy for developing stable Pickering emulsion systems for the effective delivery of hydrophobic bioactive substances.
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International Journal of Nanomedicine
·
2021
·
IF 6.4
Shuai Li,Shuping Yang,Chong Liu,Jintong He,Tian Li,Changhui Fu,Xianwei Meng,Haibo Shao
Purpose P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is highly expressed in liver cancer cells, is one of the obstacles for the treatment of cancer. In this study, we have prepared and characterized a kind of novel ICG&Cur@MoS2 (ICG and Cur represent indocyanine green and curcumin, respectively) nanoplatform, which can achieve photothermal-photodynamic therapy and inhibit the P-gp effectively and safely.Methods In this work, plenty of studies including drug release, acute toxicity, Western blot, real-time PCR, cell viability, therapeutic experiment in vivo, immunofluorescence and so on were conducted to test the antitumor potential of ICG&Cur@MoS2 and the inhibitory effect of curcumin on P-gp.Results The ICG&Cur@MoS2 NPs exhibit an excellent photothermal effect and relatively low toxicity. Cell viability in the ICG&Cur@MoS2 + NIR group was significantly lower than that in ICG@MoS2 + NIR group (75.3% vs 81.2%, 59.0% vs 64.4%, 20.3% vs 27.5%, and 15.4% vs 22.3%) at the concentration of ICG at 0.5, 5, 25, 50 μg/mL (P<0.05 at each concentration). Western blot, Q-PCR, and immunofluorescence assay indicate ICG&Cur@MoS2 NPs can inhibit the P-gp effectively and safely. In vivo, the tumors in the ICG@MoS2 + NIR group are significantly smaller than those in the MoS2 + NIR group (95.0 vs 420.9 mm3, p<0.05).Conclusion In conclusion, we have successfully synthesized ICG&Cur@MoS2 nanoparticles which can not only achieve PTT-PDT but also inhibit P-gp effectively. Our findings indicate that the PTT-PDT exhibits great potential in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Meanwhile, ICG&Cur@MoS2 can effectively inhibit the expression of P-gp, which will enhance the PDT effect.
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JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
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2026
·
IF 4.9
Pei-Ling Liu,Jia-Lin Wang,Yi-Ying Dong,Hong Liu,Jin-Ju Lei,Bin Xu,Xin-Ru Liao,Di Han,Zi-Hao He,Si-Xue Cheng
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted cancer therapy offers high selectivity and reduced toxicity. However, the therapeutic efficacy is compromised by the poor bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs such as gefitinib (GEF), and the acquired resistance. Curcumin (CUR) can sensitize tumor cells toward EGFR inhibitors and reverse drug resistance, but its application is also hindered by low solubility. To address these limitations, we developed a zein-based drug delivery system for the co-delivery of GEF and CUR. The dual-drug loaded zein-based nanoparticles (GEF/CUR@ZNP) decorated by pectin were prepared by self-assembly. GEF/CUR@ZNP exhibited a mean diameter less than 300 nm, featuring a narrow size distribution and an encapsulation efficiency higher than 80 %. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in vitro using PC-9 cells. Compared with free drugs, GEF/CUR@ZNP led to significantly enhanced cellular uptake, resulting in improved induction of cancer cell apoptosis and higher efficiency in downregulation of proteins promote cancer progression (e.g., Sp1, Bcl-2, VEGF, Snail, and CD44). To evaluate the efficacy of the drug delivery system in a context more relevant to clinical settings, we evaluated the EGFR inhibition efficacy by using the blood samples containing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and immunofluorescence labeling confirmed that GEF/CUR@ZNP achieved most effective suppression of EGFR expression. These findings demonstrate that zein-based co-delivery of GEF and CUR can overcome multiple barriers to targeted cancer therapy, and offer a clinically relevant strategy for enhancing antitumor efficacy and personalizing cancer treatment.
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International Journal of Nanomedicine
·
2026
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IF 6.5
Hongmei Liu,Liangliang Lv,Shangqin Yang,Mingjie Peng,Kerong Tu,Yanheng Wu,Lulu Cai
Background Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and lethality worldwide. Existing therapeutic modalities suffer from side effects, drug resistance, and limited efficacy, and there is an urgent need to develop safer and more effective therapeutic strategies. Curcumin (Cur) and astragaloside IV (AS) are promising natural anti-cancer agents. However, their poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability limit their clinical efficacy. Natural cell membrane-based biomimetic drug delivery platform provides an effective strategy for efficient and targeted co-administration.Methods The optimal synergistic ratio of Cur and AS against lung cancer cells was determined using the Combination Index (CI) method. Dual-drug-loaded liposomes were prepared via the thin-film hydration method and subsequently coated with a hybrid membrane derived from cancer cells and erythrocytes to form biomimetic liposomes (CM@AC lip). These nanoparticles were characterized for size, charge, stability, and drug release. Their targeting, endocytosis mechanism, antitumor efficacy, and biosafety were evaluated in vitro and in vivo.Results The CM@AC liposomes exhibited a uniform spherical structure with a synergistic ratio of 1.5:1 for AS and Cur. The liposomes had a particle size of 111.86 ± 4.12 nm, a Zeta potential of −20.8 ± 3.63 mV, and encapsulation efficiencies of 63.81 ± 1.22% for Cur and 60.38 ± 0.89% for AS, respectively. The liposomes demonstrated excellent stability. Cellular and animal studies confirmed its superior tumor-targeting ability and immune evasion. CM@AC lip significantly enhanced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and invasion inhibition against Lewis lung carcinoma cells compared to single-drug treatments. In vivo, it achieved a high tumor inhibition rate (74.59 ± 17.52%) without inducing significant systemic toxicity.Conclusion The hybrid membrane-coated biomimetic liposome effectively co-delivers Cur and AS-IV, demonstrating enhanced antitumor efficacy and favorable biosafety via synergistic action, improved targeting, and immune evasion. This strategy presents a promising platform for lung cancer combination therapy.
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Pharmaceutics
·
2026
·Vol. 18
·期 6
·761
·
IF 6.9
Juan Liu,Ziheng Wang,Yuchang Yang,Lisha Yi,Shiman Li,Jingyi Gao,Jia Zhou,Nannan Cheng,Xingbin Yin,Xiaoxv Dong,Jian Ni,Changhai Qu
Objectives:This study aimed to develop curcumin nanoparticles (Cur@PCL-PEG-MF/cRGDfc) with retinal-targeting capability and to evaluate their biological effects and pharmacological mechanisms in vitro.Methods:After synthesis of the carrier framework, metformin (MF) and cRGDfc were conjugated to the carrier material using the carbodiimide method and Michael addition reaction, respectively. Subsequently, self-assembled nanoparticles were formed from the carrier and curcumin under specific conditions. The materials were characterized by spectroscopy, chromatography, elemental analysis, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The efficacy of the formulation was evaluated in two cell lines, ARPE-19 and HUVEC-T1. In addition, the pharmacological mechanism was explored using transcriptome sequencing as a complementary approach.Key Findings:Self-assembled nanoparticles were successfully prepared by combining the two modified carrier materials, PCL-PEG-MF and PCL-PEG-cRGDfc, with curcumin. The nanoparticles exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of 78.09%, a particle size of 162.33 nm, and a zeta potential of −23.28 mV and displayed a spherical morphology. They showed sustained release in simulated physiological conditions and stronger affinity for ARPE-19 cells under oxidative stress. Nearly 100% of the nanoparticles were internalized by the cells, which was accompanied by reduced ROS and LDH release and decreased DNA fragmentation. In addition, the nanoparticles inhibited neovascularization by reducing VEGF-A release, thereby potentially protecting the retina in macular degeneration and reducing choroidal hemorrhage. Further analyses showed that curcumin and its nanoformulations significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β and IL-18, lowered the protein levels of Caspase-1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3, and increased AMPK levels.Conclusions:Using PCL-PEG as the carrier framework, MF and cRGDfc were conjugated to construct a curcumin-loaded nanoparticle with retinal-targeting capability. This nanoparticle, characterized by a small particle size, sustained release, and targeted delivery to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells under oxidative stress, alleviated oxidative stress-induced damage. Its therapeutic effect may be mediated, at least in part, by interference with the AMPK/mTOR pathway and activation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.
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Sustainable Food Technology
·
2026
·
IF 9
Jiayu Yu,Hongyang Hu,Yingyi Wang,Xia Sun,Hanxu Li,Shun Xiao,Bingcan Chen,Hui Li
Curcumin (Cur) features versatile bioactivities but suffers from poor stability and high vulnerability to gastrointestinal degradation. To address these bottlenecks, an effective and facile strategy for constructing a sustainable hydrogel delivery system with pH-responsive function and controlled gastrointestinal release properties is reported. The hydrogel beads were developed through physical crosslinking between fucoidan (Fuc), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), and the encapsulated bioactive compound Cur. Structural characterization confirmed that intermolecular hydrogen bonding between Fuc and CMCS played a pivotal role in the hydrogel network formation. Cur was efficiently encapsulated within the hydrogel beads, functioning as an additional crosslinking agent that increased the crosslinking density and reduced the equilibrium water content of the system. Notably, the hydrogel beads protected Cur via non-covalent interactions and physical barriers, enhancing its thermal and UV stabilities. Furthermore, the hydrogel beads exhibited pronounced pH-responsive swelling and release behaviors, showing minimal swelling and limited release under acidic gastric conditions, in contrast to sharp swelling and near-complete release in alkaline intestinal environments, attributed to the pH-dependent protonation states of polysaccharides' functional groups altering intermolecular interactions. Importantly, the encapsulated Cur retained more than 90% antioxidant capacity following simulated gastrointestinal digestion. This crosslinker-free and food-grade system provides a safe delivery platform for labile polyphenols, showing considerable potential in functional foods and dietary supplements.
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