Study on the digestion and absorption property of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-protein stabilized selenium nanoparticles from the perspective of stability in vitro

Digestion and absorption properties of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) stabilized by Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-protein conjugates (LBPP) were unclear. The digestive characteristics of selenium nanoparticles stabilized by Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-protein conjugates (LBPP-SeNPs) were explored through the simulation experiment in vitro. Besides, the transport and uptake mechanism of LBPP-SeNPs were thoroughly elucidated using the Caco-2 cell model. The size of LBPP-SeNPs increased from 115 nm to 280 nm after simulated gastrointestinal digestion, while the particle size of SeNPs changed more obviously and the boundary was more blurred. In digestion process, LBPP-SeNPs demonstrated a remarkably low selenium release (9%) after simulated gastrointestinal digestion, which indicated that LBPP-SeNPs possess great potential in the controlled release of selenium-enriched supplements. Moreover, the uptake and transport of LBPP-SeNPs were both energy- and concentration-dependent, and LBPP-SeNPs could mainly mediate the penetration of Caco-2 cells through endocytosis. Overall, LBPP-SeNPs were robust against gastrointestinal enzymes and a promising alternative for selenium delivery. The effective nano-carrier properties of LBPP-SeNPs underline their significant potential in the realm of pharmaceutical development and targeted therapy.