Curcumin/pEGCG-encapsulated nanoparticles enhance spinal cord injury recovery by regulating CD74 to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to motor function loss, and effective treatments are lacking. Oxidative stress and inflammation worsen neurological deficits after SCI. This study introduces HA-CurNPs, curcumin nanoparticles designed to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation at the injury site. HA-CurNPs are made by combining curcumin and pEGCG within hyaluronic acid. Once at the SCI site, they gradually release curcumin and pEGCG. These compounds reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), prevent cell death, improve the neuronal environment, and modulate immune cell activity to reduce inflammation and support nerve regeneration. Experiments in SCI mice showed HA-CurNPs protect nerve cells and myelin, reduce scar tissue, repair damaged spinal cord tissue, restore electrical signaling, and improve motor function. The study demonstrates that HA-CurNPs offer a promising therapeutic approach by significantly reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to improved motor function in SCI mice.

• 1
  HA-CurNPs effectively protect neuronal cells and myelin, reduce glial scar formation, thereby facilitating the repair of damaged spinal cord tissues, restoring electrical signaling at the injury site, and improving motor functions.
• 2
  HA-CurNPs promote M2 polarization of microglia while inhibiting M1 polarization by regulating CD74, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects and promoting neuronal survival and regeneration.
• 3
  HA-CurNPs enhance the recovery of neural electrical conductivity, promote the preservation and regeneration of neurofilaments, inhibit the formation of glial scars, and protect the structure of myelin sheaths post-SCI.