Berberine-Loaded Carboxylmethyl Chitosan Nanoparticles Ameliorate DSS-Induced Colitis and Remodel Gut Microbiota in Mice

Precision therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease: advancing ROS-responsive nanoparticles for targeted and multifunctional drug delivery

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a severe chronic intestinal disorder with a rising global incidence. Current therapies, including the delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs and probiotics, face significant challenges in terms of safety, stability, and efficacy. In IBD patients, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) is reduced at the site of intestinal inflammation, leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This accumulation damages the intestinal mucosa, disrupts tight junctions between cells, and compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier, exacerbating IBD symptoms. Therefore, nanoparticles responsive to ROS and capable of mimicking antioxidant enzyme activity, such as boronates, polydopamine, sulfides, and metal nanozymes, have emerged as promising tools. These nanoparticles can respond to elevated ROS levels in inflamed intestinal regions and release drugs to effectively neutralize ROS, making them ideal candidates for IBD treatment. This review discusses the application of various ROS-responsive nanomaterial delivery systems in IBD therapy, highlights current challenges, and outlines future research directions. Furthermore, we explore the "layered programmable delivery" strategy, which combines ROS-responsive nanoparticles with pH-responsive and cell membrane-targeted nanoparticles. This strategy has the potential to overcome the limitations of single-mechanism targeted drug delivery, enabling multi-range and multi-functional treatment approaches that significantly enhance delivery efficiency, providing new insights for the future of localized IBD treatment.

Plant polysaccharide-capped nanoparticles: A sustainable approach to modulate gut microbiota and advance functional food applications

Plant-derived polysaccharides have emerged as sustainable biopolymers for fabricating nanoparticles (polysaccharide-based nanomaterials [PS-NPs]), presenting unique opportunities to enhance food functionality and human health. PS-NPs exhibit exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural versatility, enabling their integration into functional foods to positively influence gut microbiota. This review explores the mechanisms of PS-NPs interaction with gut microbiota, highlighting their ability to promote beneficial microbial populations, such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, and stimulate the production of short-chain fatty acids. Key synthesis and stabilization methods of PS-NPs are discussed, focusing on their role in improving bioavailability, stability, and gastrointestinal delivery of bioactive compounds in food systems. The potential of PS-NPs to address challenges in food science, including enhancing nutrient absorption, mitigating intestinal dysbiosis, and supporting sustainable food production through innovative nanotechnology, is critically evaluated. Barriers such as enzymatic degradation and physicochemical stability are analyzed, alongside strategies to optimize their functionality within complex food matrices. The integration of PS-NPs in food systems offers a novel approach to modulate gut microbiota, improve intestinal health, and drive the development of next-generation functional foods. Future research should focus on bridging knowledge gaps in metagenomic and metabolomic profiling of PS-NPs, optimizing their design for diverse applications, and advancing their role in sustainable and health-promoting food innovations.

Glaucocalyxin A alleviates ulcerative colitis by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling

Isodon japonicus (Burm.f.) Hara var. glaucocalyx (Maxim.) Hara is a herbaceous perennial plant. Historically, it has often been used to treat dysentery and other diseases, indicating its potential efficacy in the treatment of inflammatory conditions affecting the intestines. Glaucocalyxin A (GLA) is a diterpenoid isolated from I. japonicus; recent studies have revealed that it exhibits a range of biological activities, including neuroprotective, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anti-fibrotic effects. However, previous studies have not specifically explored the mechanism whereby GLA alleviates ulcerative colitis (UC). Therefore, in the present study, we generated a DSS-induced UC mouse model and lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 inflammation model and performed network pharmacology analysis and peripheral blood analysis of patients with acute UC to investigate the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of GLA on UC. This study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of GLA in a mouse model of DSS-induced UC. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that AKT is a common target of GLA and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The changes in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell inflammation further verified that GLA reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Finally, in vitro magnetic bead sorting experiments showed that GLA could be used in the treatment of UC patients.

Innovative Gastrointestinal Drug Delivery Systems: Nanoparticles, Hydrogels, and Microgrippers

Over the past decade, new technologies have emerged to increase intrinsic potency, enhance bioavailability, and improve targeted delivery of drugs. Most pharmaceutical formulations require multiple dosing due to their fast release and short elimination kinetics, increasing the risk of adverse events and patient non-compliance. Due to these limitations, enormous efforts have focused on developing drug delivery systems (DDSs) for sustained release and targeted delivery. Sustained release strategies began with pioneering research using silicone rubber embedding for small molecules and non-inflammatory polymer encapsulation for proteins or DNA. Subsequently, numerous DDSs have been developed as controlled-release formulations to deliver systemic or local therapeutics, such as small molecules, biologics, or live cells. In this review, we discuss the latest developments of DDSs, specifically nanoparticles, hydrogels, and microgrippers for the delivery of systemic or localized drugs to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We examine innovative DDS design and delivery strategies tailored to the GI tract's unique characteristics, such as its extensive length and anatomical complexity, varying pH levels and enzymatic activity across different sections, and intrinsic peristalsis. We particularly emphasize those designed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with in vivo preclinical studies.

Thermosensitive Injectable Dual Drug-Loaded Chitosan-Based Hydrogels for Treating Bacterial Endometritis

Endometritis, a prevalent obstetric condition primarily caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), significantly threatens the reproductive performance of female animals. In this study, thermosensitive injectable chitosan (CS)/β-glycerophosphate (β-GP) hydrogels loaded with berberine (BBR) and carvacrol (CAR) were prepared for endometritis treatment. In vitro, BBR/CAR-CS/β-GP hydrogels exhibited rapid gelation within 5 min at 37 °C, excellent injectability, and more than 90% degradation within 30 days under enzymatic action. The dual drug-loaded system also exhibited controlled release of BBR and CAR and demonstrated the antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. In vivo, uterine injection of BBR/CAR-CS/β-GP hydrogels alleviated infection-induced injuries and reduced the bacterial load in infected uterine tissues. In summary, these findings highlight the potential of BBR/CAR-CS/β-GP hydrogels as innovative carriers for drug delivery targeting endometritis.

Nanotechnology for Targeted Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex and recurring inflammatory disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract and is influenced by genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, the gut microbiota, and environmental factors. Advanced therapies, such as biologics and small molecules, target diverse immune pathways to manage IBD. Nanoparticle (NP)-based drugs have emerged as effective tools, offering controlled drug release and targeted delivery. This review highlights NP modifications for anti-inflammatory purposes, utilizing changes such as those in size, charge, redox reactions, and ligand-receptor interactions in drug delivery systems. By using pathological and microenvironmental cues to guide NP design, precise targeting can be achieved. In IBD, a crucial aspect of NP intervention is targeting specific types of cells, such as immune and epithelial cells, to address compromised intestinal barrier function and reduce overactive immune responses. This review also addresses current challenges and future prospects, with the goal of advancing the development of NP-mediated strategies for IBD treatment.

Fabrication and optimization of naringin-loaded MOF-5 encapsulated by liponiosomes as smart drug delivery, cytotoxicity, and apoptotic on breast cancer cells

INTRODUCTION

Cancers are regarded as hazardous due to their high worldwide death rate, with breast cancer (BC), which affects practically all cancer patients globally, playing a significant role in this statistic. The therapeutic approach for BC has not advanced using standard techniques, such as specialized naringin (NG) chemotherapy. Instead, a novel strategy has been utilized to enhance smart drug delivery (SDD) to tumors.

SIGNIFICANCE

Herein, we established NG-loaded zinc metal-organic framework-5 (NG-MOF-5) coated with liponiosomes (LNs) to manufacture NG-MOF-5@LNs nanoparticles (NPs) for antibacterial and cancer treatment.

METHODS

MOF-5, NG, and NG-MOF-5@LNs were evaluated with XRD, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FTIR, SEM, TEM, PDI, ZP, encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading efficiency (LE), and drug release (DR) kinetics. We examined the antibacterial activity involving minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and zone of inhibition by NG, MOF-5, and NG-MOF-5@LNs. The cell viability, necrosis, and total apoptosis (late and early) were evaluated for anti-cancer activity against MCF-7 BC cells.

RESULTS

TEM results demonstrated that NG-MOF-5@LNs formed monodispersed spherical-like particles with a size of 122.5 nm, PDI of 0.139, and ZP of +21 mV. The anti-microbial activity results indicated that NG-MOF-5@LNs exhibited potent antibacterial effects, as evidenced by inhibition zones and MIC values. The Higuchi model indicates an excellent fit (R2 = 0.9988). The MTT assay revealed anti-tumor activity against MCF-7 BC cells, with IC50 of 21 µg/mL for NG-MOF-5@LNs and demonstrating a total apoptosis effect of 68.2% on MCF-7 cells.

CONCLUSION

NG-MOF-5@LNs is anticipated to show as an effective antimicrobial and novel long-term-release antitumor agent and might be more suitable for MCF-7 cell therapy.

Research progress on nanotechnology of traditional Chinese medicine to enhance the therapeutic effect of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic condition that primarily impacts the articular cartilage and surrounding bone tissue, resulting in joint inflammation and structural deterioration. The etiology of OA is multifaceted and intricately linked to the oxidative stress response of joint tissue. Oxidative stress (OS) in OA leads to the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other oxidizing agents, resulting in detrimental effects on chondrocytes. This oxidative damage diminishes the flexibility and robustness of cartilage, thereby expediting the progression of joint deterioration. Therefore, the antioxidant effect is crucial in the treatment of OA. Currently, a considerable number of components found in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been scientifically demonstrated to exhibit remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless, the utilization of this program is considerably constrained as a result of intrinsic deficiencies, notably stability concerns. The successful amalgamation of TCM components with nanotechnology has properly tackled these concerns and enhanced the efficacy of therapeutic results. The objective of this study is to delineate the antioxidant characteristics of nano-TCM and assess the current inventory of literature pertaining to the application of nano-TCM in the treatment of OA. In conclusion, this paper will now turn to the constraints and potential avenues for the advancement of nano-TCM within the realm of OA therapy.

The progression of inorganic nanoparticles and natural products for inflammatory bowel disease

There is a growing body of evidence indicating a close association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and disrupted intestinal homeostasis. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), along with an increase in M1 proinflammatory macrophage infiltration during the activation of intestinal inflammation, plays a pivotal role in disrupting intestinal homeostasis in IBD. The overabundance of ROS/RNS can cause intestinal tissue damage and the disruption of crucial gut proteins, which ultimately compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier. The proliferation of M1 macrophages contributes to an exaggerated immune response, further compromising the intestinal immune barrier. Currently, intestinal nanomaterials have gained widespread attention in the context of IBD due to their notable characteristics, including the ability to specifically target regions of interest, clear excess ROS/RNS, and mimic biological enzymes. In this review, we initially elucidated the gut microenvironment in IBD. Subsequently, we delineate therapeutic strategies involving two distinct types of nanomedicine, namely inorganic nanoparticles and natural product nanomaterials. Finally, we present a comprehensive overview of the promising prospects associated with the application of nanomedicine in future clinical settings for the treatment of IBD (graphic abstract). Different classes of nanomedicine are used to treat IBD. This review primarily elucidates the current etiology of inflammatory bowel disease and explores two prominent nanomaterial-based therapeutic approaches. First, it aims to eliminate excessive reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. Second, they focus on modulating the polarization of inflammatory macrophages and reducing the proportion of pro-inflammatory macrophages. Additionally, this article delves into the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease using inorganic metal nanomaterials and natural product nanomaterials.

Recent Insight into Herbal Bioactives-based Novel Approaches for Chronic Intestinal Inflammatory Disorders Therapy

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a life-threatening complex disease. It causes chronic intestinal inflammation in GIT. IBD significantly affects people's lifestyles and carries a high risk of colon cancer. IBD involves the rectum, ileum, and colon, with clinical manifestations of bloody stools, weight loss, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The prevalence of inflammatory disease is increasing dramatically worldwide. Over 16 million people are affected annually in India, with an economic burden of $6.8- $8.8 billion for treatment. Modern medicine can manage IBD as immunosuppressive agents, corticosteroids, tumor necrosis factor antagonists, integrin blockers, and amino-salicylates. However, these approaches are allied with limitations such as limited efficacy, drug resistance, undesired side effects, and overall cost, which cannot be ignored. Hence, the herbal bioactives derived from various plant resources can be employed in managing IBD. Science Direct, PubMed, Google, and Scopus databases have been searched for conclusively relevant herbal plant-based anti-inflammatory agent compositions. Studies were screened through analysis of previously published review articles. Eminent herbal bioactives, namely curcumin, resveratrol, ellagic acid, silybin, catechin, kaempferol, icariin, glycyrrhizin acid, berberine, quercetin, rutin, and thymol are reported to be effective against IBD. Herbal leads are promising treatment options for IBD; they have been shown to display antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties by targeting enzymes and regulating the expressions of various inflammatory mediators. Natural products have been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties in various clinical and preclinical studies, and some are available as herbal preparations. Herbal medicine would be promising in association with the implication of a novel drug delivery system for managing IBD.

Berberine in Sepsis: Effects, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Strategies

Sepsis is defined as a dysregulated immune response to infection that leads to multiple organ dysfunction. To date, though a growing body of knowledge has gained insight into the clinical risk factors, pathobiology, treatment response, and recovery methods, sepsis remains a significant concern and clinical burden. Therefore, further study is urgently needed to alleviate the acute and chronic outcomes. Berberine (BBR), a traditional Chinese medicine with multiple actions and mechanisms, has been investigated in cellular and rodent animal models of sepsis mainly based on its anti-inflammatory effect. However, the practical application of BBR in sepsis is still lacking, and it is imperative to systematically summarize the study of BBR in sepsis. This review summarized its pharmacological activities and mechanisms in septic-related organ injuries and the potential BBR-based therapeutic strategies for sepsis, which will provide comprehensive references for scientific research and clinical application.

The application of natural product-delivering micro/nano systems in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a type of recurrent intestinal diseases. Natural product molecules have been gradually developed into an important source of anti-inflammatory drugs for treating IBD owing to their high anti-inflammatory activity, well known safety, structural specificity and therapeutic mechanism diversity. However, most of the natural products are restricted by poor solubility in actual application. How to achieve satisfactory bioavailability during the treatment of IBD is one of the urgent problems to be solved in the current research. Micro/nano drug delivery systems could improve the solubility of drugs with targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs to the colon with responsive release property. Therefore, using micro/nano drug delivery systems, the problems mentioned above involving natural product molecules in the treatment of IBD could be solved. According to the compositions of the intestinal tract and inflammatory characteristics of IBD, the strategies of using micro/nano drug delivery systems for natural products could be summarized in two steps: targeted delivery and responsive release. In this review, the targeted and responsive release strategies of the micro/nano drug delivery systems combined with their anti-inflammatory effects in IBD animal models to illustrate that the proposed strategies could be potential treatments for symptomatic IBD are described.

Medicinal plant-based drug delivery system for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic recurrent intestinal disease. The incidence rate of IBD is increasing year by year, which seriously endangers human health worldwide. More and more studies have shown that medicinal plants or their main phytochemicals have great potential in the treatment of intestinal diseases. However, the disadvantages of low oral absorption rate, low biological distribution and low systemic bioavailability limit their clinical application to a certain extent. In recent years, the application of nanotechnology has made it possible to treat IBD. Nanoparticles (NPs) drug delivery system has attracted special attention in the treatment of IBD due to its small size, low immunogenicity, surface modification diversity, targeting and other advantages. Synthetic nanoparticles and extracellular vehicles (EVs) can deliver drug components to colon, and play a role in anti-inflammation, regulation of oxidative stress, improvement of intestinal flora, etc. In addition, some medicinal plants can secrete EVs by themselves, and carry biological molecules with therapeutic effects to act on the intestine. Some clinical trials to evaluate the safety, tolerance, toxicity and effectiveness of EVs-loaded drugs in IBD are also progressing steadily. This review introduces that synthetic nanoparticles and medicinal plants derived EVs can play an important role in the treatment of IBD by carrying the effective active phytochemicals of medicinal plants, and discuss the limitations of current research and future research needs, providing a scientific and reliable basis and perspective for further clinical application and promotion.

Berberine increases stromal production of Wnt molecules and activates Lgr5+ stem cells to promote epithelial restitution in experimental colitis

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are characterized by sustained inflammation and/or ulcers along the lower digestive tract, and have complications such as colorectal cancer and inflammation in other organs. The current treatments for IBDs, which affect 0.3% of the global population, mainly target immune cells and inflammatory cytokines with a success rate of less than 40%.

RESULTS

Here we show that berberine, a natural plant product, is more effective than the frontline drug sulfasalazine in treating DSS (dextran sulfate sodium)-induced colitis in mice, and that berberine not only suppresses macrophage and granulocyte activation but also promotes epithelial restitution by activating Lgr5⁺ intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Mechanistically, berberine increases the expression of Wnt genes in resident mesenchymal stromal cells, an ISC niche, and inhibiting Wnt secretion diminishes the therapeutic effects of berberine. We further show that berberine controls the expression of many circadian rhythm genes in stromal cells, which in turn regulate the expression of Wnt molecules.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that berberine acts on the resident stromal cells and ISCs to promote epithelial repair in experimental colitis and that Wnt-β-Catenin signaling may be a potential target for colitis treatment.

Targeting pathophysiological changes using biomaterials-based drug delivery systems: A key to managing inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a gastrointestinal disorder, affecting about several million people worldwide. Current treatments fail to adequately control some clinical symptoms in IBD patients, which can adversely impact the patient's quality of life. Hence, the development of new treatments for IBD is needed. Due to their unique properties such as biocompatibility and sustained release of a drug, biomaterials-based drug delivery systems can be regarded as promising candidates for IBD treatment. It is noteworthy that considering the pathophysiological changes occurred in the gastrointestinal tract of IBD patients, especially changes in pH, surface charge, the concentration of reactive oxygen species, and the expression of some biomolecules at the inflamed colon, can help in the rational design of biomaterials-based drug delivery systems for efficient management of IBD. Here, we discuss about targeting these pathophysiological changes using biomaterials-based drug delivery systems, which can provide important clues to establish a strategic roadmap for future studies.

Intestinal Microecology of Mice Exposed to TiO2 Nanoparticles and Bisphenol A

Exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) is ubiquitous, especially through dietary and other environmental pathways. In the present study, adult C57BL/6J mice were exposed to TiO₂ NPs (100 mg/kg), BPA (0, 5, and 50 mg/kg), or their binary mixtures for 13 weeks. The 16S rDNA amplification sequence analysis revealed that co-exposure to TiO₂ NPs and BPA altered the intestinal microbiota; however, this alteration was mainly caused by TiO₂ NPs. Faecal metabolomics analysis revealed that 28 metabolites and 3 metabolic pathways were altered in the co-exposed group. This study is the first to reveal the combined effects of TiO₂ NPs and BPA on the mammalian gut microbial community and metabolism dynamics, which is of great value to human health. The coexistence of TiO₂ NPs and BPA in the gut poses a potential health risk due to their interaction with the gut microbiota.

Rutin-Loaded Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogel for Anti-Inflammation

An active flavonoid compound rutin was incorporated into a guanosine phenylborate hydrogel (GBR) by a stimuli-responsive borate ester linkage for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The components and morphology of the drug delivery system were characterized by NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, and AFM. Rheological measurements revealed the required injectability and self-healing ability, which contributed to its application in rectal administration. The cell assays proved the excellent compatibility and safety of the system, and a possible pathway to form multicellular aggregates. In vitro drug-release studies showed that the hydrogel exhibited good stability in physiological medium, and the drug was almost completely released (more than 90 wt % after 24 h of incubation) in acidic pH and excessive ROS-containing medium, realizing the dual-responsive release of pH/ROS. In vivo activities of the GBR hydrogel showed higher therapeutic efficacy than free rutin in a colitis mice model, and it could significantly inhibit overexpressed inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6. Degradation studies of the hydrogel provided further evidence for the safety of its in vivo application. The work provided a simple strategy to prepare a G-quadruplex drug carrier, which was expected to achieve multi-drug delivery.

Interactions between Nanoparticles and Intestine

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) has surely grown in recent years due to their versatility, with a spectrum of applications that range from nanomedicine to the food industry. Recent research focuses on the development of NPs for the oral administration route rather than the intravenous one, placing the interactions between NPs and the intestine at the centre of the attention. This allows the NPs functionalization to exploit the different characteristics of the digestive tract, such as the different pH, the intestinal mucus layer, or the intestinal absorption capacity. On the other hand, these same characteristics can represent a problem for their complexity, also considering the potential interactions with the food matrix or the microbiota. This review intends to give a comprehensive look into three main branches of NPs delivery through the oral route: the functionalization of NPs drug carriers for systemic targets, with the case of insulin carriers as an example; NPs for the delivery of drugs locally active in the intestine, for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer; finally, the potential concerns and side effects of the accidental and uncontrolled exposure to NPs employed as food additives, with focus on E171 (titanium dioxide) and E174 (silver NPs).

Current Advances in Coptidis Rhizoma for Gastrointestinal and Other Cancers

Cancer is a serious disease with an increasing number of reported cases and high mortality worldwide. Gastrointestinal cancer defines a group of cancers in the digestive system, e.g., liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer. Coptidis Rhizoma (C. Rhizoma; Huanglian, in Chinese) is a classical Chinese medicinal botanical drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and has been shown to have a wide variety of pharmacological activity, including antifungal, antivirus, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, and cardioprotective effects. Recent studies on C. Rhizoma present significant progress on its anticancer effects and the corresponding mechanisms as well as its clinical applications. Herein, keywords related to C. Rhizoma, cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and omics were searched in PubMed and the Web of Science databases, and more than three hundred recent publications were reviewed and discussed. C. Rhizoma extract along with its main components, berberine, palmatine, coptisine, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine, epiberberine, oxyepiberberine, oxyberberine, dihydroberberine, columbamine, limonin, and derivatives, are reviewed. We describe novel and classic anticancer mechanisms from various perspectives of pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and pharmaceutics. Researchers have transformed the chemical structures and drug delivery systems of these components to obtain better efficacy and bioavailability of C. Rhizoma. Furthermore, C. Rhizoma in combination with other drugs and their clinical application are also summarized. Taken together, C. Rhizoma has broad prospects as a potential adjuvant candidate against cancers, making it reasonable to conduct additional preclinical studies and clinical trials in gastrointestinal cancer in the future.

Berberine-Loaded Biomimetic Nanoparticles Attenuate Inflammation of Experimental Allergic Asthma via Enhancing IL-12 Expression

Asthma is one of the most common chronic pulmonary disorders, affecting more than 330 million people worldwide. Unfortunately, there are still no specific treatments for asthma so far. Therefore, it is very important to develop effective therapeutics and medicines to deal with this intractable disease. Berberine (Ber) has fabulous anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, while its low water solubility and bioavailability greatly limit its curative efficiency. To improve the nasal mucosa absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs, such as Ber, we developed a platelet membrane- (PM-) coated nanoparticle (NP) system (PM@Ber-NPs) for targeted delivery of berberine to the inflammatory lungs. In vivo, PM@Ber-NPs exhibited enhanced targeting retention in the inflammatory lungs compared with free Ber. In a mouse model of house dust mite- (HDM-) induced asthma, PM@Ber-NPs markedly inhibited lung inflammation, as evident by reduced inflammatory cells and inflammatory cytokines in the lung compared with free Ber. Collectively, our study demonstrated the inhibitory actions of nasally delivered nanomedicines on HDM-induced asthma, primarily through regulating Th1/Th2 balance by enhancing IL-12 expression which could potentially reduce lung inflammation and allergic asthma.