Preparation, characterization and antioxidant activity of inclusion complex loaded with puerarin and corn peptide

Comparative Evaluation of Spray-Drying Versus Freeze-Drying Techniques on the Encapsulation Efficiency and Biofunctional Performance of Chenpi Extract Microcapsules

Chenpi extracts (CPEs) are highly valued for their rich bioactive compounds and distinctive aromatic properties, but their environmental sensitivity poses stability challenges in food applications. In this study, CPE microcapsules were fabricated using corn peptide as the wall material, and the functional properties of spray-dried microcapsules (SDMCs) and freeze-dried microcapsules (FDMCs) were systematically characterized and compared. The results demonstrate that SDMCs exhibit superior characteristics compared to FDMCs, including reduced moisture content, lower hygroscopicity, enhanced solubility, smaller particle size, and a more uniform microstructure. Both FDMCs and SDMCs showed excellent thermal stability. The SDMCs of CPE encapsulated 93.45% of flavonoids, 90.35% of polyphenols, and 81.32% of sugars from the CPE, while also demonstrating exceptional retention of key terpene volatile compounds, particularly D-limonene (44.63%), γ-terpinene (45.18%), and β-myrcene (40.17%). In contrast, FDMCs exhibited stronger retention of alcohol-based volatile compounds. Furthermore, SDMCs displayed higher antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities, along with improved storage stability. In vitro digestion results reveal that SDMCs provide enhanced protection for CPE flavonoids and polyphenols, achieving bioaccessibility rates of 95.64% and 94.57%, respectively. These findings offer a theoretical basis for optimizing the drying processes in CPE microencapsulation, striking a balance between functional properties and flavor preservation for advanced food applications.

Puerarin Ameliorates the Ferroptosis in Diabetic Liver Injure Through the JAK2/STAT3 Pathway Inhibition Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Background

Diabetic liver injury (DLI) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), which seriously endangers the health of diabetic patients. Puerarin, the main active component of Pueraria lobata, has shown positive effects in lowering blood glucose and lipids, resisting oxidative stress, and protecting the liver. However, the mechanism of protective effect of Puerarin on DLI remains unclear.

Methods

Various databases were used to screen for targets of Puerarin, ferroptosis and DLI. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were used to predict key targets and pathways. Molecular docking was used to predict the interactions between Puerarin and core targets. KK/Upj-Ay/J (KKAy) mice and high glucose (HG)-induced AML12 cells were used to study the protective effect of Puerarin on DLI. The molecular mechanisms by which Puerarin acts were further verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Results

KEGG analysis indicated that the JAK/STAT pathway might be related to the anti-DLI effect of Puerarin. Molecular docking revealed that Puerarin has good affinity for JAK2 and STAT3. In vivo, Puerarin (80 mg/kg) reduced body weight, blood glucose, blood lipids and liver function in KKAy mice fed a high-sugar, high-fat diet. Puerarin also ameliorated hepatic pathological changes and inflammatory responses, and attenuated oxidative stress and iron overload in KKAy mice. Western blotting results showed that Puerarin could regulate the expression of proteins related to JAK2/STAT3 pathway and ferroptosis pathway. In vitro, Puerarin (25, 50, 100 μM) increased cell viability and decreased steatosis and liver function indexes in AML12 cells induced by HG (30 mm) to varying degrees. More importantly, AG490 blocker experiments showed that the regulation of ferroptosis process by Puerarin was dependent on the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study revealed Puerarin may regulate the ferroptosis process by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway for the treatment of DLI.

The Inhibitory Impact of a Co-Assembly Gel with Natural Carrier-Free Binary Small Molecules, as Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, on the Viability of SW1990 Cells

Chinese herbs are a huge treasure trove of natural products and an important source of many active molecules. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine compatibility (TCMC) is widely applied in clinical practice, but its mechanism is still ambiguous. This study aims to open a new window for this predicament by studying the interaction between the main active ingredients from a drug pair. Carrier-free assembly of natural products improves the shortcomings of traditional nanodelivery systems and opens a new path for the development of new nanomaterials. The drug pair "Pueraria and Hedyotis diffusa" has been commonly used in clinical practice, with a predominant therapeutic effect. This study is devoted to the study of the binary small molecule co-assembly of the main active molecules from the drug pair. In this study, we introduce a carrier-free composite gel, formed by the co-assembly of puerarin (PUE) and deacetylasperulosidic acid (DAA) via non-covalent bonds including π-π packing, intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and C=O π interactions. With a strain point 7-fold higher than that of P gel, the P - D gel exhibited favorable rheological properties. The survival rate of SW1990 cells in the P - D group was only 21.39% when the concentration of administration reached 200 μM. It thus demonstrated activity in inhibiting SW1990 cells' survival, suggesting potential in combating pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, this research offers a valuable concept for enhancing the mechanical properties and bioactivity of hydrogel materials through the utilization of a multi-component natural small molecule co-assembly approach. More importantly, this provides new ideas and methods for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and the analysis of traditional Chinese medicine compatibility theory.

Characterization, Antioxidant Capacity and Protective Effect of Peptides from Cordyceps militaris Cultivated with Tussah Pupa on Oxidative Injured HepG2 Cells

The antioxidant capacity and protective effect of peptides from protein hydrolysate of Cordyceps militaris cultivated with tussah pupa (ECPs) on H2O2-injured HepG2 cells were studied. Results indicated ECP1 (<3 kDa) presented the strongest antioxidant activity compared with other molecular weight peptides. Pretreated with ECPs observably enhanced survival rates and reduced apoptosis rates of HepG2 cells. ECPs treatment decreased the ROS level, MDA content and increased CAT and GSH-Px activities of HepG2 cells. Besides, the morphologies of natural peptides from C. militaris cultivated with tussah pupa (NCP1) and ECP1 were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Characterization results suggested the structure of NCP1 was changed by enzymatic hydrolysis treatment. Most of hydrophobic and acidic amino acids contents (ACC) in ECP1 were also observably improved by enzymatic hydrolysis. In conclusion, low molecular weight peptides had potential value in the development of cosmetics and health food.

Design and Self-Assembly of Peptide-Copolymer Conjugates into Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Wound Healing in Diabetes

Background

Delayed wound healing in skin injuries has become a significant problem in clinics, seriously affecting and even threatening life and health. Recently, research interest has increased in developing wound dressings containing bioactive compounds capable of improving outcomes for complex healing needs.

Methods

In this study, Puerarin-loaded nanoparticles (Pue-NPs) were prepared using the cell-penetrating peptide-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (CPP-PLGA) as a drug carrier by the emulsified solvent evaporation method. Then, they were added into poly (acrylic acid) to obtain a self-assembled nanocomposite hydrogels (SANHs) drug delivery system using the co-polymerization method. The particle size, zeta potential, and micromorphology of Pue-NPs were measured; the appearance, mechanical properties, adhesive strength, and biological activity of SANHs were performed. Finally, the potential of SANHs for wound healing was further evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Results

Pue-NPs were regularly spherical, with an average particle size of 134.57 ± 1.42 nm and a zeta potential of 2.14 ± 0.78 mV. SANHs was colorless and transparent with a honeycomb-like porous structure and had an excellent swelling ratio (917%), water vapor transmission rate (3077 g·m-2·day-1), mechanical properties (Young's modulus of 18 kPa, elongation at break of 307%), and adhesive strength (15.5 kPa). SANHs exhibited sustained release of Pue over 48h, with a cumulative release of 55.60 ± 6.01%. In vitro tests revealed that the SANHs presented a 92.22% antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli after 4h, and a 61.91% scavenging rate of 1.1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) radical. In vivo experiments showed that SANHs accelerated wound repair by reducing the inflammatory response at the wound site, promoting angiogenesis, and facilitating epidermal regeneration and collagen deposition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we successfully prepared SANHs. Our results show that SANHs have excellent performance and improves wound healing in diabetic mice model, indicating that it can be used to develop an effective strategy for the treatment of diabetic wounds.

Gel properties and interactions of hydrogels constructed with low acyl gellan gum and puerarin

To develop composite hydrogels based on low acyl gellan gum (GG), the effect of puerarin (PUE) on the gel properties of GG was investigated. The results showed that the maximum storage modulus (G') of the 1.2 % GG/0.8 % PUE composite hydrogel was 377.4 Pa at 0.1 Hz, which was enhanced by 4.7-fold compared with that of 1.2 % GG. The melting temperature of this composite hydrogel increased from 74.1 °C to >80.0 °C. LF-NMR results showed that a significant amount of free water was present in the hydrogel matrix. The surface structure aggregation and the shrinkage of the honeycomb meshes in the composite hydrogel proved the cross-linking of PUE and GG. XRD, FTIR and molecular simulation results illustrated that hydrogen bonds were the most important factor controlling the interaction between GG and PUE. Thus, the GG/PUE composite hydrogel has good elasticity, thermal stability and water retention, which lays a good foundation for further application in the food industry.

Study of Hydroxypropyl β-Cyclodextrin and Puerarin Inclusion Complexes Encapsulated in Sodium Alginate-Grafted 2-Acrylamido-2-Methyl-1-Propane Sulfonic Acid Hydrogels for Oral Controlled Drug Delivery

Puerarin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunity enhancement, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antitumor, and antimicrobial effects. However, due to its poor pharmacokinetic profile (low oral bioavailability, rapid systemic clearance, and short half-life) and physicochemical properties (e.g., low aqueous solubility and poor stability) its therapeutic efficacy is limited. The hydrophobic nature of puerarin makes it difficult to load into hydrogels. Hence, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-βCD)-puerarin inclusion complexes (PIC) were first prepared to enhance solubility and stability; then, they were incorporated into sodium alginate-grafted 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (SA-g-AMPS) hydrogels for controlled drug release in order to increase bioavailability. The puerarin inclusion complexes and hydrogels were evaluated via FTIR, TGA, SEM, XRD, and DSC. Swelling ratio and drug release were both highest at pH 1.2 (36.38% swelling ratio and 86.17% drug release) versus pH 7.4 (27.50% swelling ratio and 73.25% drug release) after 48 h. The hydrogels exhibited high porosity (85%) and biodegradability (10% in 1 week in phosphate buffer saline). In addition, the in vitro antioxidative activity (DPPH (71%), ABTS (75%), and antibacterial activity (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) indicated the puerarin inclusion complex-loaded hydrogels had antioxidative and antibacterial capabilities. This study provides a basis for the successful encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs inside hydrogels for controlled drug release and other purposes.