A New Nano Antioxidant Prevention and Therapy Delivery System

Oxidative stress has been proven to be a vital pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. However, the clinical application of antioxidants is limited probably due to their poor bioavailability and low biocompatibility. Here we introduce a novel strategy for fabrication of antioxidant-loaded ultra-small nano-vehicles (particle sizes range from 30 to 50 nm). The nano-vehicles exhibited more excellent cellular uptake and intensive accumulation in central nervous system in vivo in comparison with the antioxidant monomers. Furthermore, we examined their bioactivities against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related oxidative damage in neurodegenerative conditions. Compared with their monomer, the nano-encapsulated antioxidants showed more intensive effects on inhibiting hypoxia-mediated neuronal loss, ROS-induced amyloid β releasing and apoptosis of nerve cells as well as macrophages damage. In addition, the nanoencapsulated antioxidants also exerted significant neuroprotection in the middle cerebral artery occlusion mimicked stroke insults. The results further indicate that the nanovehicles can high-efficiently act against mitochondria-involved apoptosis. Consequently, the new nano-vehicles possibly provide an ideal platform for its application in the intervention and therapy of various ROS-related neurological diseases.