ROS-triggered self-disintegrating and pH-responsive astaxanthin nanoparticles for regulating the intestinal barrier and colitis

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 292; p. 121937
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xuedi, Zhao, Xue, Hua, Zheng, Xing, Shanghua, Li, Jiaxuan, Fei, Siyuan, Tan, Mingqian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Astaxanthin; Colitis - drug therapy; Colon inflammation; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Mice; Mitochondria-targeting; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; ROS/pH dual-response; Nanoparticles; Colon inflammation; ROS/pH dual-response; Astaxanthin; Mitochondria-targeting
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121937

Smart delivery systems with stimuli-responsive capability are able to improve the bioaccessibility through increasing the solubility, physicochemical stability and biocompatibility of bioactive compounds. In this study, the astaxanthin nanoparticles with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pH dual-response function were design and constructed using poly (propylene sulfide) covalently modified sodium alginate as carriers based on ultrasonic assisted self-assembly strategy. Atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope analysis showed that the nanoparticles were spherical in shape with a size of around 260 nm. Meanwhile, the astaxanthin nanoparticles showed both pH and ROS stimuli-responsive release characteristics. In vitro cell experiments showed that astaxanthin nanoparticles significantly inhibited the production of ROS and mitochondrial depolarization induced by oxidative stress. In vivo colitis experiment of mice revealed that astaxanthin nanoparticles could significantly relieve colitis, protect the integrity of colon tissue and restore the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin. The abundance of Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae, and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota of gut microbiota were significantly improved after intervention of the stimuli-responsive astaxanthin nanoparticles. This work provided a simple strategy for constructing ROS/pH dual response delivery system, which provided an experimental basis for improving the oral bioavailability of hydrophobic active compounds. •ROS/pH responsive carriers prepared by sodium alginate and poly (propylene sulfide).•Mitochondria-targeted carriers improve the antioxidant efficiency of astaxanthin.•Dual-responsive astaxanthin nanoparticles alleviate inflammatory factor secretion.•Restoration of the colonic barrier and up-regulation of probiotic abundance.