Phlorotannin-modified selenium nanoparticles for effective relief of acute liver injury

As a global public health issue, the treatment of acute liver injury (ALI) is facing serious challenges due to the lack of specific drugs. Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs), due to their robust antioxidant attributes, have shown considerable potential in ALI prevention. However, the application of Se NPs is impeded by their instability, propensity to aggregate, and tendencies towards precipitation. In this study, we modified the surface of Se NPs with phlorotannin (PT) to synthesize PT-Se NPs. Our initial results suggested that PT-Se NPs, having a reduced particle size of 107.10 ± 4.04 nm, exhibited superior stability, enhanced cellular absorption, and sustained liver accumulation in comparison to Se NPs. In concordance with our expectations, PT-Se NPs demonstrated enhanced therapeutic performance in mitigating CCl4-induced ALI, as demonstrated by the preservation of liver functionality, decrease in oxidative stress markers, reduction of inflammatory factor levels, and improvement in histological damage. This research contributes a promising strategy for effectively improving the stability of Se NPs and preventing ALI, broadening the horizon for effective liver protection and potential clinical translation.