Mesoporous polydopamine delivering 8‑gingerol for the target and synergistic treatment to the spinal cord injury

Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-023-01896-1 · Published: January 1, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This research focuses on treating spinal cord injury (SCI) by targeting secondary injury, which often hinders repair. They created a nano-delivery system called M@8G, using mesoporous polydopamine (M-PDA) to deliver 8-gingerol (8G) to the injury site. M@8G was designed to cross the blood-spinal cord barrier and accumulate at the injury. It works by reducing the effects of ferroptosis and inflammation, two key processes in secondary SCI. The study found that M@8G significantly improved recovery in rats with SCI, reducing the damaged area and improving motor function. Analysis of human cerebrospinal fluid also supported the relevance of these findings to human SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

10-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats (220–250 g) and human cerebrospinal fluid samples from SCI and non-SCI patients

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
M@8G can penetrate the blood-spinal cord barrier to enrich the spinal cord injury site.
2
M@8G can inhibit the secondary SCI by suppressing the ferroptosis and inflammation.
3
M@8G significantly diminished the local injury area, reduced axonal and myelin loss, thus improving the neurological and motor recovery in rats.

Research Summary

The study introduces M@8G, a nano-delivery platform designed to target and treat secondary spinal cord injury (SCI). M@8G consists of 8-gingerol (8G) loaded into mesoporous polydopamine (M-PDA). Results showed that M@8G can effectively cross the blood-spinal cord barrier, accumulate at the injury site, and reduce the effects of ferroptosis and inflammation. In vivo assays demonstrated improved neurological and motor recovery in rats. Analysis of human cerebrospinal fluid indicated that ferroptosis occurs locally in SCI and progresses even after clinical surgery, suggesting M@8G as a promising long-term treatment strategy.

Practical Implications

Targeted SCI Treatment

M@8G offers a targeted approach to SCI treatment by delivering therapeutic agents directly to the injury site.

Synergistic Therapeutic Effect

The combination of M-PDA and 8G provides a synergistic effect, enhancing the therapeutic benefits compared to individual treatments.

Clinical Translation Potential

The study provides a promising and safe strategy for the clinical treatment of SCI, supported by both in vivo and in vitro evidence.

Study Limitations

1
The long-term effects of M@8G treatment were not fully explored.
2
The study primarily focused on female rats, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
3
Further research is needed to optimize the drug loading and release mechanisms of M@8G.

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