Zn-Shik-PEG nanoparticles alleviate inflammation and multi-organ damage in sepsis.

ABSTRACT: Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and dysregulated inflammatory response. Previous studies have reported that shikonin (Shik) possess prominent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and holds promise as a potential therapeutic drug for sepsis. However, the poor water solubility and the relatively high toxicity of shikonin hamper its clinical application. To address this challenge, we constructed Zn²⁺-shikonin nanoparticles, hereafter Zn-Shik-PEG NPs, based on an organic-inorganic hybridization strategy of metal-polyphenol coordination to improve the aqueous solubility and biosafety of shikonin. Mechanistic studies suggest that Zn-Shik-PEG NPs could effectively clear intracellular ROS via r

SUBMITTER: Guo J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10675904 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature