Self-Assembly of Rhein and Matrine Nanoparticles for Enhanced Wound Healing

Overview

Journal Molecules

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2024 Jul 27

PMID 39064904

Authors

Xunxun Wu

Ranqing Zang

Yiting Qiu

Ni Yang

Meiyan Liu

Site Wei

Xianxiang Xu

Yong Diao

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Carrier-free self-assembly has gradually shifted the focus of research on natural products, which effectively improve the bioavailability and the drug-loading rate. However, in spite of the existing studies, the development of self-assembled natural phytochemicals that possess pharmacological effects still has scope for further exploration and enhancement. Herein, a nano-delivery system was fabricated through the direct self-assembly of Rhein and Matrine and was identified as a self-assembled Rhein-Matrine nanoparticles (RM NPs). The morphology of RM NPs was characterized by TEM. The molecular mechanisms of self-assembly were explored using FT-IR, H NMR, and molecular dynamics simulation analysis. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel was used as a drug carrier for controlled release and targeted delivery of RM NPs. The potential wound repair properties of RM NPs were evaluated on a skin wound-healing model. TEM and dynamic light scattering study demonstrated that the RM NPs were close to spherical, and the average size was approximately 75 nm. H NMR of RM NPs demonstrated strong and weak changes in the interaction energies during self-assembly. Further molecular dynamics simulation analysis predicted the self-assembly behavior. An in vivo skin wound-healing model demonstrated that RM NPs present better protection effect against skin damages. Taken together, RM NPs are a new self-assembly system; this may provide new directions for natural product applications.

Citing Articles

Carrier-free nanoparticles-new strategy of improving druggability of natural products.

Yao Y, Xu Z, Ding H, Yang S, Chen B, Zhou M J Nanobiotechnology. 2025; 23(1):108.

PMID: 39953594 PMC: 11827262. DOI: 10.1186/s12951-025-03146-y.

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