1
|
Wu X, Zhang Q, Peng L, Tian Z, Gou G, Zuo W, Yang J. Colon-targeted piperine-glycyrrhizic acid nanocrystals for ulcerative colitis synergetic therapy via macrophage polarization. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:1604-1616. [PMID: 38269414 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02312e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by immune dysregulation. Oral administration of nanoformulations containing immunomodulators is a desirable approach to treating UC. However, low drug-loading (<10%, typically), premature drug release, and systemic absorption of these nanoformulations continue to be significant challenges restricting clinical applications. Herein, we developed colon-targeted piperine-glycyrrhizic acid nanocrystals (ES100-PIP/GA NCs) to treat UC through the regulation of macrophages. The ES100-PIP/GA NCs exhibited ultra-high drug loading and colon-specific drug release. In vitro studies demonstrated that the ES100-PIP/GA NCs could effectively be internalized by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 and Caco-2 cells. More importantly, the ES100-PIP/GA NCs could downregulate pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-17A), upregulate anti-inflammatory factors (TGF-β1), and repair the intestinal mucosal barrier. In a murine model of acute colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), ES100-PIP/GA NCs could protect PIP and GA from gastric acid destruction, reach the colon, and significantly inhibit colitis. Surprisingly, ES100-PIP/GA NCs enhance M2 macrophages by increasing the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and inhibit M1 macrophages by reducing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Overall, this study shows that ES100-PIP/GA NCs have synergistic immunotherapy capabilities with macrophage regulation, which offers a promising blueprint for the oral delivery of multicomponent drugs in UC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
| | - Qian Zhang
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
| | - Li Peng
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No. 804 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Zonghua Tian
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
| | - Guojing Gou
- Department of Medical Chemistry, School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
| | - Wenbao Zuo
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
| | - Jianhong Yang
- Departmert of Pharmaceutics, School of Phammacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|