Schisandrin-loaded β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles for atherosclerosis therapy.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanomedicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Nanoparticle delivery systems offer novel strategies for drug-resistant diseases, enhancing bioavailability and targeting.
• Traditional Chinese medicine is increasingly recognized for its therapeutic potential.
• Atherosclerosis is characterized by an acidic inflammatory microenvironment, presenting a therapeutic challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a nanoplasmonic platform encapsulating the unstable drug Sch for atherosclerosis treatment.
• To leverage the acidic microenvironment of atherosclerosis with pH-responsive nanocarriers.
• To evaluate the efficacy of Sch-loaded nanoparticles in an atherosclerosis mouse model.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized pH-responsive nanocarriers using acetylated β-cyclodextrin (Ac-bCD).
• Prepared Sch-loaded nanoparticles (Sch-NPs) via solvent evaporation.
• Administered Sch-NPs to ApoE-/- mice on a high-fat diet to assess therapeutic effects.

Main Results:

• Sch-NPs alleviated arterial damage, inhibited lipid metabolism disorders, and reduced plaque area in mice.
• The nanoparticles promoted plaque stability and reduced inflammatory infiltration.
• Sch-NPs modulated the MAPK pathway, reducing oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

• pH-responsive nanoparticles loaded with Sch demonstrate significant therapeutic potential for atherosclerosis.
• This nanomedicine approach effectively targets the acidic inflammatory environment of atherosclerotic lesions.
• Sch-NPs offer a promising strategy for enhanced disease therapies, particularly for atherosclerosis.