TY - JOUR
T1 - Sericin/crocetin micro/nanoparticles for nucleus pulposus cells regeneration
T2 - An “active” drug delivery system
AU - Bari, Elia
AU - Perteghella, Sara
AU - Rassu, Giovanna
AU - Gavini, Elisabetta
AU - Petretto, Giacomo Luigi
AU - Bonferoni, Maria Cristina
AU - Giunchedi, Paolo
AU - Torre, Maria Luisa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2023 Bari, Perteghella, Rassu, Gavini, Petretto, Bonferoni, Giunchedi and Torre.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Introduction: Initiation and progression of intervertebral disk degeneration are linked to oxidative stress, with reactive oxygen species being a key factor. Therefore, as a potentially novel approach able to regenerate the damaged intervertebral disk, this work aimed to prepare an “active per sé” drug delivery system by combining sericin and crocetin: both are bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulant and regenerative properties. Methods: In detail, sericin nanoparticles were prepared using crocetin as a cross-linker; then, the nanoparticle dispersions were dried by spray drying as it is (NP), with an excess of sericin (NPS) or crocin/crocetin (NPMix), obtaining three microparticle formulations. Results and Discussion: Before drying, the nanoparticles were nanometric (about 250 nm), with a negative surface charge, and appeared spherical and smooth. Following the drying process, spherical and smooth microparticles were obtained, with a mean diameter of about 1.7–2.30 μm. NPMix was the most active in antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities, likely due to the excess of crocin/crocetin, while NPS had the best anti-elastase activity, likely due to sericin in excess. Furthermore, all the formulations could prevent oxidative stress damage on nucleus pulposus cells, with NPMix being the best. Overall, the intrinsic anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase activities and the ability to protect from oxidative stress-induced damages justify future investigations of these “active per sé” formulations in treating or preventing intervertebral disk degeneration.
AB - Introduction: Initiation and progression of intervertebral disk degeneration are linked to oxidative stress, with reactive oxygen species being a key factor. Therefore, as a potentially novel approach able to regenerate the damaged intervertebral disk, this work aimed to prepare an “active per sé” drug delivery system by combining sericin and crocetin: both are bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulant and regenerative properties. Methods: In detail, sericin nanoparticles were prepared using crocetin as a cross-linker; then, the nanoparticle dispersions were dried by spray drying as it is (NP), with an excess of sericin (NPS) or crocin/crocetin (NPMix), obtaining three microparticle formulations. Results and Discussion: Before drying, the nanoparticles were nanometric (about 250 nm), with a negative surface charge, and appeared spherical and smooth. Following the drying process, spherical and smooth microparticles were obtained, with a mean diameter of about 1.7–2.30 μm. NPMix was the most active in antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities, likely due to the excess of crocin/crocetin, while NPS had the best anti-elastase activity, likely due to sericin in excess. Furthermore, all the formulations could prevent oxidative stress damage on nucleus pulposus cells, with NPMix being the best. Overall, the intrinsic anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase activities and the ability to protect from oxidative stress-induced damages justify future investigations of these “active per sé” formulations in treating or preventing intervertebral disk degeneration.
KW - antioxidant
KW - crocetin
KW - nanoparticles
KW - nucleus pulposus regeneration
KW - oxidative stress damage
KW - silk-sericin
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85150705716&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fphar.2023.1129882
DO - 10.3389/fphar.2023.1129882
M3 - Article
SN - 1663-9812
VL - 14
JO - Frontiers in Pharmacology
JF - Frontiers in Pharmacology
M1 - 1129882
ER -