Single chiral center epimerization-modulated multi-carrier-free oral hydrogel for remolding inflammatory microenvironment via PI3K/Akt/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

ABSTRACT: The self-assembly of biomolecules with chiral centers in nature has garnered significant attention due to its biomedical potential. However, how single chiral center epimerization influences molecular co-assembly remains unclear. This study explored natural epimers 18α-glycyrrhizic acid (α-GA) and 18β-glycyrrhizic acid (β-GA), and their co-assembly behaviors with active ingredients pseudoephedrine (PSE), amygdalin (AMY), and magnesium ion (Mg²⁺) of ma-xing-shi-gan-tang (MXSGT). Interestingly, due to hydrogen bonds and coordination bonds, β-GA co-assembled with PSE, AMY, and Mg²⁺ to form nanoparticles in a symmetric staggered manner (β-Quad), appearing as a hydrogel; while α-GA co-assembled with PSE, AMY, and Mg^2+</

SUBMITTER: Pi W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12546808 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature