Self-assembling nanoparticles with antioxidant activity for ROS scavenging in liver cells

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hepatic disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression into hepatitis and fibrosis. In this context, the use of nanomaterials with ROS-scavenging activity might be a promising therapeutic approach. Here, we designed lipid self-assembling nanoparticles (SANP) enriched with a cerium core to obtain a ROS-scavenging nanoparticle platform. We optimized the preparation of cerium-doped SANP (Ce-SANP) by tuning the ratios between the various components and characterized the formulations in terms of colloidal properties, stability against aggregation in serum proteins, and capability to scavenge ROS in a hepatocyte model of oxidative stress. Specifically, we identified Ce-SANP formulations with suitable colloidal properties and peroxidase- and superoxide dismutase-like activity. In in vitro studies, Ce-SANP showed a marked cytocompatibility and reduced ROS levels counteracting H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. These results indicate the potential antioxidant of the proposed Ce-SANP platform technology in limiting oxidative damage, a key target to hinder the etiopathogenesis and progression of liver diseases.