In recent years, piperlongumine (PL) having specific cytotoxicity has attracted considerable attention for anticancer activity. Through structural modification, the active derivative PL 1-3 shows potential anti-inflammatory activity and low cytotoxicity, but its water solubility is low. Here, PL 1-3-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (1-3 NPs) were prepared and characterized, which can improve the dissolution. 1-3 NPs exhibited effective hepatoprotective effects on lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury of mice, which was similar to liver injury in clinical settings. 1-3 NPs treatment can inhibit inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis via the downregulation of NF-κB signaling pathways, the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways, and the inhibition of expression of Bax and caspase 3 proteins. The above results demonstrated that PL 1-3-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles possessed potential value in intervention of inflammation-based liver injury.
Keywords: acute liver injury; apoptosis; bovine serum albumin nanoparticles; inflammation; oxidative stress; piperlongumine derivative.