Catechin-Based Polyphenol Nanoparticles Ameliorated Ferroptosis to Alleviate Brain Injury after Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke (ICH) is a highly aggressive disease, with a high incidence and mortality rate. Iron deposition following ICH leads to oxidative damage and motor dysfunction, significantly impacting the overall quality of life for those affected. Here, a polyphenolic nanomedicine, catechin-based polyphenol nanoparticles surface-modified by thiol-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (CNPs@PEG), was developed through the oxidative polymerization and self-assembly of catechin, a natural compound in tea. Due to its potent antioxidant and metal-chelating properties, CNPs@PEG effectively maintained blood-brain barrier integrity, reduced brain edema, significantly increased the survival rate of mice with cerebral hemorrhage and markedly improved neurological deficits after ICH. Mechanistically, CNPs@PEG accomplishes this by chelating iron, enhancing tissue antioxidant capacity, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting iron deposition. This approach holds promise as a targeted therapeutic strategy for addressing cerebral hemorrhage and other conditions associated with iron overload.