Food–medicine homology nanostructures: self-assembly, sustained release, and extended anti-inflammatory effects of Eucommia ulmoides nanoparticles

Posted on
food–medicine-homology-nanostructures:-self-assembly,-sustained-release,-and-extended-anti-inflammatory-effects-of-eucommia-ulmoides-nanoparticles
Food–medicine homology nanostructures: self-assembly, sustained release, and extended anti-inflammatory effects of Eucommia ulmoides nanoparticles

References

  1. Yu, Z. et al. Implementing a food first strategy can transform preventive healthcare. npj Sci. Food 8, 57 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Sun, W. & Shahrajabian, M. H. Therapeutic potential of phenolic compounds in medicinal plants—natural health products for human health. Molecules 28, 1845 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Wang, Q. et al. Naturally derived anti-inflammatory compounds from Chinese medicinal plants. J. Ethnopharmacol. 146, 9–39 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rudrapal, M. et al. Dietary polyphenols: review on chemistry/sources, bioavailability/metabolism, antioxidant effects, and their role in disease management. Antioxidants 13, 429 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chandrakala, V., Aruna, V. & Angajala, G. Review on metal nanoparticles as nanocarriers: current challenges and perspectives in drug delivery systems. Emergent Mater. 5, 1593–1615 (2022).

  6. Liu, C. et al. Research Progress of Metal-Organic Frameworks as Drug Delivery Systems. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 16, 43156–43170 (2024).

  7. Lim, K. & Hamid, Z. A. A. 10 – Polymer nanoparticle carriers in drug delivery systems: Research trend. Appl. Nanocomposite Mater. Drug Deliv. 217–237 (2018).

  8. Ajdary, M. et al. Health concerns of various nanoparticles: a review of their in vitro and in vivo toxicity. Nanomaterials 8, 634 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Zhang, N., Xiong, G. & Liu, Z. Toxicity of metal-based nanoparticles: challenges in the nano era. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 10, 1–16 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Xuan, L., Ju, Z., Skonieczna, M., Zhou, P. & Huang, R. Nanoparticles-induced potential toxicity on human health: applications, toxicity mechanisms, and evaluation models. MedComm 4, 1–39 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Sharma, S., Parveen, R. & Chatterji, B. P. Toxicology of nanoparticles in drug delivery. Curr. Pathobiol. Rep. 9, 133–144 (2021).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Yazdanpanah, S. et al. Plant-derived exosomes: carriers and cargo of natural bioactive compounds: emerging functions and applications in human health. Nanomaterials 15, 1005 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kimiz-Gebologlu, I. & Oncel, S. S. Exosomes: large-scale production, isolation, drug loading efficiency, and biodistribution and uptake. J. Control. Release 347, 533–543 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Zhou, J. et al. Chromatographic isolation of nanoparticles from Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan-Tang decoction and their characterization. J. Ethnopharmacol. 151, 1116–1123 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  15. He, F. et al. Why are clams steamed with wine in Mediterranean cuisine? npj Sci. Food 8, 44 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Meng, X. et al. Formation of polyphenol-based nanoparticles in dried hawthorn with enhanced cellular absorption over free polyphenols. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 310, 143274 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Zhang, W. et al. The effects of honey processing on nanoparticles in Astragali Radix decoction: Self-assembly, bioavailability, and bioactivity. Food Res. Int. 218, 116877 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Song, Y., Lin, L. & Zhao, M. A new perspective to explore the bioactive ingredients of honeysuckle tea infusion by structure, function and stability characterization of self-assembled nano/microaggregates. Food Res. Int. 204, 115923 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Yu, Z. et al. Food nanoparticles from rice vinegar: isolation, characterization, and antioxidant activities. npj Sci. Food 6, 1 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ke, L., Zhou, J., Lu, W., Gao, G. & Rao, P. The power of soups: super-hero or team-work? Trends Food Sci. Technol. 22, 492–497 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Peng, A., Lin, L. & Zhao, M. Chemical basis and self-assembly mechanism of submicroparticles forming in chrysanthemum tea infusion. Food Chem. 427, 136745 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Conte, R., Marturano, V., Peluso, G., Calarco, A. & Cerruti, P. Recent advances in nanoparticle-mediated delivery of anti-inflammatory phytocompounds. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 18, 1–23 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Huang, D. et al. Dietary supplementation with Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract improved the intestinal antioxidant capacity, immune response, and disease resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT; Oreochromis niloticus). Antioxidants 11, 1800 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Zhang, F.-L. et al. Influences of dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract on the hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation response, intestinal antioxidant capacity, intestinal microbiota, and disease resistance of the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Fish. Shellfish Immunol. 123, 75–84 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Bao, L. et al. A review of plant gold Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.: a medicinal and food homologous plant with economic value and prospect. Heliyon 10, e24851 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Li, Q. et al. Post-screening characterisation and in vivo evaluation of an anti-inflammatory polysaccharide fraction from Eucommia ulmoides. Carbohydr. Polym. 169, 304–314 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Feng, H. et al. Characterization and immunoenhancement activities of Eucommia ulmoides polysaccharides. Carbohydr. Polym. 136, 803–811 (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Li, Y. et al. Polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Leaves alleviate acute alcoholic liver injury by modulating the microbiota–gut–liver Axis in mice. Foods 13, 1089 (2024).

  29. Yanping, C., Juping, H., Yi, L. & Wangen, Y. Optimization of ultrasonic-microwave assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides leaves and its anticoagulant activity in vitro. Sci. Technol. Food Ind. 44, 202–211 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Le, X.-N. et al. The efficient separation of bioactive components from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver using membrane filtration technology and its mechanisms in preventing alcoholic liver disease. Carbohydr. Polym. 351, 123100 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Xu, J., Hou, H., Hu, J. & Liu, B. Optimized microwave extraction, characterization and antioxidant capacity of biological polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver leaf. Sci. Rep. 8, 1–10 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  32. Alzahrani, B. et al. Effects of albumin–chlorogenic acid nanoparticles on apoptosis and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitory activity in MDA-MB-435s cells. Nanomaterials 13, 1438 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  33. Fan, Y., Yi, J., Zhang, Y. & Yokoyama, W. Improved chemical stability and antiproliferative activities of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles with a chitosan chlorogenic acid conjugate. J. Agric. Food Chem. 65, 10812–10819 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Cortés-Ferré, H. E., Arredondo-Ochoa, T. & Gaytán-Martínez, M. Polysaccharides-polyphenolic interactions: formation, functionality and applications. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 163, 105117 (2025).

  35. Cui, E. et al. Network pharmacology combined with an experimental validation study to reveal the effect and mechanism of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf polysaccharide against immunomodulation. Foods 12, 1062 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Sun, Y. et al. Advances in Eucommia ulmoides polysaccharides: extraction, purification, structure, bioactivities and applications. Front. Pharmacol. 15, 1–27 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Shahidi, F. & Athiyappan, K. D. Polyphenol-Polysaccharide Interactions: Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Applications in Food Systems—a Comprehensive Review. Food Production, Processing and Nutrition Vol. 7 (BioMed Central, 2025).

  38. Lin, P. Y. et al. Phase-changeable nanoemulsions for oral delivery of a therapeutic peptide: toward targeting the pancreas for antidiabetic treatments using lymphatic transport. Adv. Funct. Mater. 29, 1–11 (2019).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Zhang, H., Wang, F., Wang, L., Du, J. & Li, Y. Plant polyphenols delay aging: a review of their anti-aging mechanisms and bioavailability. Food Res. Int. 218, 116900 (2025).

  40. Bai, Y., Guo, X. & Zhu, K. Highland Barley-derived polyphenols: a category of bioactive phytochemicals beneficial for intestinal health. Food Chem. Int. 1, 31–35 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Han, X., Wu, X., Liu, F., Chen, H. & Hou, H. Inhibition of LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells by natural Chlorogenic acid isomers involved with AKR1B1 inhibition. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 114, 117942 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  42. Zhao, X. L. et al. Cryptochlorogenic acid attenuates LPS-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress via upregulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Int. Immunopharmacol. 83, 106436 (2020).

  43. Peng, X., McClements, D. J., Liu, X. & Liu, F. EGCG-based nanoparticles: synthesis, properties, and applications. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 0, 1–22 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  44. Hu, Q. et al. Polyphenolic nanoparticle-modified probiotics for microenvironment remodeling and targeted therapy of inflammatory bowel disease. ACS Nano 18, 12917–12932 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  45. Zhu, Z. et al. Chitosan/alginate nanoparticles with sustained release of esculentoside A for burn wound healing. ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 6, 573–587 (2023).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Zang, Z. et al. Polyphenol nanoparticles based on bioresponse for the delivery of anthocyanins. Food Res. Int. 184, 114222 (2024).

  47. Zhang, J. et al. Dynamic changes and correlation analysis of microorganisms and flavonoids/amino acids during white tea storage. Food Chem. 455, 139932 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  48. Wang, W., Wang, Y., Chen, F. & Zheng, F. Comparison of determination of sugar-PMP derivatives by two different stationary phases and two HPLC detectors: C18 vs. amide columns and DAD vs. ELSD. J. Food Compos. Anal. 96, 103715 (2021).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Zhong, X. et al. Ultrasound-alkaline combined extraction improves the release of bound polyphenols from pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus Foo-Lon) peel: Composition, antioxidant activities and enzyme inhibitory activity. Ultrason. Sonochem. 90, 106213 (2022).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Adiham, A. et al. Mulberry polyphenols alleviate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: action mechanisms via modulating the gut microbiota and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Food Biosci. 68, 106733 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

  51. Wang, H. et al. Fabrication and characterization of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles using licorice protein isolate from Radix Glycyrrhizae. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 255, 128235 (2024).

    Google Scholar 

  52. Molaveisi, M., Shahidi-Noghabi, M. & Naji-Tabasi, S. Vitamin D3-loaded nanophytosomes for enrichment purposes: formulation, structure optimization, and controlled release. J. Food Process Eng. 43, e13560 (2020).

  53. Benzie, I. F. F. & Strain, J. J. The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as a measure of antioxidant power: the FRAP assay. Anal. Biochem. 239, 70–76 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  54. Re, R. et al. Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 26, 1231–1237 (1999).

    Google Scholar 

  55. Dong, R. et al. The recovery, catabolism and potential bioactivity of polyphenols from carrot subjected to in vitro simulated digestion and colonic fermentation. Food Res. Int. 143, 110263 (2021).

    Google Scholar 

  56. Lin, D. et al. Antidiabetic micro-/nanoaggregates from Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian-Tang decoction increase absorption of Baicalin and cellular antioxidant activity in vitro. Biomed. Res. Int. 2017, 1–8 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  57. Castro, J. et al. Golden berry fruit modulates inflammation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and the DSS-induced acute colitis model. J. Funct. Foods 125, 106665 (2025).

    Google Scholar 

Download references