Self-assembling nanoparticles with antioxidant activity for ROS scavenging in liver cells
Valeria Nele, Stefania Melini, Virginia Campani, Alessia Angelillo, Sossio Fabio Graziano, Claudio Pirozzi, Rosaria Meli, Giuseppe De Rosa
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hepatic disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression into hepatitis and fibrosis. In this context, the use of nanomaterials with ROS-scavenging activity might be a promising therapeutic approach. Here, we designed lipid self-assembling nanoparticles (SANP) enriched with a cerium core to obtain a ROS-scavenging nanoparticle platform. We optimized the preparation of cerium-doped SANP (Ce-SANP) by tuning the ratios between the various components and characterized the formulations in terms of colloidal properties, stability against aggregation in serum proteins, and capability to scavenge ROS in a hepatocyte model of oxidative stress. Specifically, we identified Ce-SANP formulations with suitable colloidal properties and peroxidase- and superoxide dismutase-like activity. In in vitro studies, Ce-SANP showed a marked cytocompatibility and reduced ROS levels counteracting H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. These results indicate the potential antioxidant of the proposed Ce-SANP platform technology in limiting oxidative damage, a key target to hinder the etiopathogenesis and progression of liver diseases.