Overlooked Spherical Nanoparticles Exist in Plant Extracts: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Applications

Study on the Nanoaggregate Formation Mechanism and Antipyretic Effect of Maxing Shigan Decoction

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula decoctions easily form nanoaggregates due to self-assembly during the decoction process. However, research on nanoaggregates in TCM is still in its infancy with limited systematic studies. Maxing Shigan Decoction (MXSGT), a TCM formula, has been commonly used for the treatment of fever for thousands of years in China. This study used MXSGT as an example to investigate the antipyretic effects of MXSGT nanoaggregates (MXSGT-NAs) in its decoction, shedding light on the compatibility mechanisms of Chinese medicine. MXSGT-NAs were isolated by using high-speed centrifugation and dialysis techniques. The morphology, particle size distribution, and electrical potential of MXSGT-NAs were characterized. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in MXSGT-NAs. The self-assembly mechanism of MXSGT-NAs was investigated by deconstructing the prescription. In pharmacodynamic experiments, a rat fever model was established through the subcutaneous injection of dry yeast to investigate the antipyretic effects of MXSGT-NAs. The results showed the presence of regularly shaped spherical nanoaggregates in MXSGT. It contains carbon, oxygen (O), sulfur (S), sodium, aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), iron, magnesium, bismuth (Bi), etc. MXSGT-NAs exerted substantial antipyretic effects on febrile rats. Furthermore, we found micrometer-sized particles composed of Ca, O, S, potassium, and Bi in Shi gao decoctions. This study is the first to provide evidence for the self-assembling property of Shi gao, elucidate the scientific connotation of dispensing Shi gao in MXSGT, and provide a novel perspective for the study of TCM decoctions.

Collision of herbal medicine and nanotechnology: a bibliometric analysis of herbal nanoparticles from 2004 to 2023

BACKGROUND

Herbal nanoparticles are made from natural herbs/medicinal plants, their extracts, or a combination with other nanoparticle carriers. Compared to traditional herbs, herbal nanoparticles lead to improved bioavailability, enhanced stability, and reduced toxicity. Previous research indicates that herbal medicine nanomaterials are rapidly advancing and making significant progress; however, bibliometric analysis and knowledge mapping for herbal nanoparticles are currently lacking. We performed a bibliometric analysis by retrieving publications related to herbal nanoparticles from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database spanning from 2004 to 2023. Data processing was performed using the R package Bibliometrix, VOSviewers, and CiteSpace.

RESULTS

In total, 1876 articles related to herbal nanoparticles were identified, originating from various countries, with China being the primary contributing country. The number of publications in this field increases annually. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Saveetha University in India are prominent research institutions in this domain. The Journal "International Journal of Nanomedicine" has the highest number of publications. The number of authors of these publications reached 8234, with Yan Zhao, Yue Zhang, and Huihua Qu being the most prolific authors and Yan Zhao being the most frequently cited author. "Traditional Chinese medicine," "drug delivery," and "green synthesis" are the main research focal points. Themes such as "green synthesis," "curcumin," "wound healing," "drug delivery," and "carbon dots" may represent emerging research areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study findings assist in identifying the latest research frontiers and hot topics, providing valuable references for scholars investigating the role of nanotechnology in herbal medicine.

Insights into the Mechanism of Supramolecular Self-Assembly in the Astragalus membranaceus-Angelica sinensis Codecoction

Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. (AM) and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (AS) constitute a classic herb pair in prescriptions to treat myocardial fibrosis. To date, research on the AM-AS herb pair has mainly focused on the chemical compositions associated with therapeutic efficacy. However, supermolecules actually exist in herb codecoctions, and their self-assembly mechanism remains unclear. In this study, supermolecules originating from AM-AS codoping reactions (AA-NPs) were first reported. The chemical compositions of AA-NPs showed a dynamic self-assembly process. AA-NPs with different decoction times had similar surface groups and amorphous states; however, the size distributions of these nanoparticles might be different. Taking the interaction between Z-ligustilide and astragaloside IV as an example to understand the self-assembly mechanism of AA-NPs, it was found that the complex could be formed with a molar ratio of 2:1. Later, AA-NPs were proven to be effective in the treatment of myocardial fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro, the in-depth mechanisms of which were related to the recovery of cardiac function, reduced collagen deposition, and inhibition of the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition that occurred in the process of myocardial fibrosis. Thus, AA-NPs may be the chemical material basis of the molecular mechanism of the AM-AS decoction in treating isoproterenol-induced myocardial fibrosis. Taken together, this work provides a supramolecular strategy for revealing the interaction between effective chemical components in herb-pair decoctions.

Challenges and opportunities for improving the druggability of natural product: Why need drug delivery system?

Bioactive natural products (BNPs) are the marrow of medicinal plants, which are the secondary metabolites of organisms and have been the most famous drug discovery database. Bioactive natural products are famous for their enormous number and great safety in medical applications. However, BNPs are troubled by their poor druggability compared with synthesis drugs and are challenged as medicine (only a few BNPs are applied in clinical settings). In order to find a reasonable solution to improving the druggability of BNPs, this review summarizes their bioactive nature based on the enormous pharmacological research and tries to explain the reasons for the poor druggability of BNPs. And then focused on the boosting research on BNPs loaded drug delivery systems, this review further concludes the advantages of drug delivery systems on the druggability improvement of BNPs from the perspective of their bioactive nature, discusses why BNPs need drug delivery systems, and predicts the next direction.