Antibacterial delivery emulsions are potential materials for treating bacterial infections. Few studies have focused on the role and mechanism of emulsions in inflammation relief. Therefore, based on our previous analysis, in which the novel and natural Pickering emulsions stabilized by antimicrobial peptide nanoparticles were prepared, the regulation effect of emulsion on inflammasome was explored in silico, in vitro and in vivo. Firstly, the interactions between inflammasome components and parasin I or Pickering emulsion were predicted by molecular docking. Then, the inflammasome stimulation by different doses of the emulsion was tested in RAW 264.7 and THP-1 cells. Finally, in Kunming mice with peritonitis, NLRP3 and IL-1β expression in the peritoneum were evaluated. The results showed that the Pickering emulsion could combine with ALK, casp-1, NEK7, or NLRP3 to affect the assembly of the NLRP3 and further relieve inflammation. LPNE showed a dose-dependent inhibition effect on the release of IL-1β and casp-1. With the concentration of parasin I increased from 1.5 mg/mL to 3 mg/mL, the LDH activity decreased in the chitosan peptide-embedded nanoparticles emulsion (CPENE) and lipid/peptide nanoparticles emulsion (LPNE) groups. However, from 1.5 to 6 mg/mL, LPNE had a dose-dependent effect on the release of casp-1. The CPENE and parasin I-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles emulsion (PCNE) may decrease the release of potassium and chloride ions. Therefore, it can be concluded that the LPNE may inhibit the activation of the inflammasome by decreasing LDH activity, potassium and chloride ions through binding with compositions of NLRP3.
Keywords: NLRP3; Pickering emulsion; antimicrobial peptide; peritonitis.