Antioxidative myricetin-enriched nanoparticles towards acute liver injury

Cardioprotective potentials of myricetin on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity based on biochemical and transcriptomic analysis

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used anthracycline in cancer chemotherapy. The clinical application of DOX is constrained by its cardiotoxicity. Myricetin (MYR) is a natural flavonoid widely present in many plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, MYR's beneficial effects and mechanisms in alleviating DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) remain unknown. C57BL/6 mice were injected with 15 mg/kg of DOX to establish the DIC, and MYR solutions were administrated by gavage to investigate its cardioprotective potentials. Histopathological analysis, physiological indicators assessment, transcriptomics analysis, and RT-qPCR were used to elucidate the potential mechanism of MYR in DIC treatment. MYR reduced cardiac injury produced by DOX, decreased levels of cTnI, AST, LDH, and BNP, and improved myocardial injury and fibrosis. MYR effectively prevented DOX-induced oxidative stress, such as lowered MDA levels and elevated SOD, CAT, and GSH activities. MYR effectively suppressed NLRP3 and ASC gene expression levels to inhibit pyroptosis while regulating Caspase1 and Bax levels to reduce cardiac cell apoptosis. According to the transcriptomic analysis, glucose and fatty acid metabolism were associated with differential gene expression. KEGG pathway analysis revealed differential gene enrichment in PPAR and AMPK pathways, among others. Following validation, MYR was found to alleviate DIC by regulating glycolipid metabolism and AMPK pathway-related genes. Our findings demonstrated that MYR could mitigate DIC by regulating the processes of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and pyroptosis. MYR is critical in improving DOX-induced myocardial energy metabolism abnormalities mediated by the AMPK signaling pathway. In conclusion, MYR holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for DIC.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Flavonoids against Benzo[a]Pyrene-Induced Oxidative Liver Damage along Its Metabolic Pathways

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a highly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon primarily formed during incomplete organic matter combustion, undergoes a series of hepatic metabolic reactions once absorbed into the body. B[a]P contributes to liver damage, ranging from molecular DNA damage to the onset and progression of various diseases, including cancer. Specifically, B[a]P induces oxidative stress via reactive oxygen species generation within cells. Consequently, more research has focused on exploring the underlying mechanisms of B[a]P-induced oxidative stress and potential strategies to counter its hepatic toxicity. Flavonoids, natural compounds abundant in plants and renowned for their antioxidant properties, possess the ability to neutralize the adverse effects of free radicals effectively. Although extensive research has investigated the antioxidant effects of flavonoids, limited research has delved into their potential in regulating B[a]P metabolism to alleviate oxidative stress. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on B[a]P-induced liver oxidative stress and examines the role of flavonoids in mitigating its toxicity.

Quercetin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles coating with macrophage membranes for targeted delivery in acute liver injury

Quercetin (QU), a natural flavonoid with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, holds promise in treating acute liver injury (ALI). Nonetheless, its limited solubility hampers its efficacy, and its systemic distribution lacks targeting, leading to off-target effects. To address these challenges, we developed macrophage membrane-coated quercetin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (MVs-QU-NPs) for active ALI targeting. The resulting MVs-QU-NPs exhibited a spherical morphology with a clear core-shell structure. The average size and zeta potential were assessed as 141.70 ± 0.89 nm and -31.83 ± 0.76 mV, respectively. Further studies revealed sustained drug release characteristics from MVs-QU-NPs over a continuous period of 24 h. Moreover, these MVs-QU-NPs demonstrated excellent biocompatibility when tested on normal liver cells. The results of biodistribution analysis in ALI mice displayed the remarkable ALI-targeting ability of MVs-DiD-NPs, with the highest fluorescence intensity observed in liver tissue. This biomimetic approach combining macrophage membranes with nanoparticle delivery, holds great potential for targeted ALI treatment.

Construction of Phlorotannin-Based Nanoparticles for Alleviating Acute Liver Injury

Acute liver injury (ALI) is a severe health condition with limited treatment options. Phlorotannin (PT), a natural compound extracted from seaweeds, has shown potential in improving liver function. However, its poor stability and bioavailability have limited its applications in vivo. In this study, we developed PT-based nanoparticles (NPs) through a Mannich reaction with glycine, which exhibited good biocompatibility and prolonged circulation time in vivo. Our results revealed that the PT NPs possess strong free radical scavenging ability, effectively reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviating oxidative stress and proinflammatory responses in the H2O2-induced oxidative damage model of HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the PT NPs effectively attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver tissue of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury mice by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. In summary, our results suggested that the PT NPs could serve as a promising nano-therapeutic strategy for alleviating ALI.