Pectin and Lysozyme-Based Anthocyanin Nanocarriers: Experimental Approach to Assess Bioavailability Improvement and Anticancer Effects in the Colon of Rats

• Grant number: 23/01396-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Joao Paulo Fabi
• Grantee: Joao Paulo Fabi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/09620-3 - Nanocarriers of Pectin and Lysozyme-Based Anthocyanins: Experimental Approach to Assess Increased Bioavailability and Anticancer Effects in the Colon of Rats, BP.JD

Abstract

Anthocyanins are polyphenolic compounds with potential beneficial properties for human health. However, they are bioactive compounds with high molecular instability due to environmental factors and those inherent in human intestinal digestion. In the gastrointestinal tract, anthocyanins undergo an intense process of structural biotransformation, reducing their functionalities, limiting their biological use, and making it difficult to reach certain tissues. Nanoencapsulated anthocyanins can be chemically and physically stabilized, enhancing the absorption of intact structures, and preserving their biological properties. Pectin and lysozyme are biomaterials used in nanostructures to encapsulate chemically unstable compounds, such as anthocyanins (already carried out by the group and with a patent required), providing stability and attenuating the chemical and biological effects responsible for degradation. The formed nanocapsules can be effectively absorbed by cell structures in vitro, without cytotoxic effect, according to results published by the group. Thus, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the in vivo bioavailability and biodistribution of anthocyanins extracted from blackberry (Rubus spp.) nanoencapsulated in a structure based on pectin and lysozyme, as well as the effect of these nanoparticles on pre-neoplastic lesions of chemically induced colon cancer in rats. To analyze the biodistribution of nanostructures, a new methodology was developed to mark anthocyanins through the incorporation of a radioisotope that will be administered orally, and the biological distribution will be evaluated in real-time using PET-SCAN. The nanostructures will be administered orally in healthy Wistar rats to analyze their bioavailability. Blood aliquots will be collected at different times and serum metabolites will be evaluated by HPLC-MS/MS. Different body tissues will be collected for the analysis of anthocyanin absorption markers in the body. Animals chemically induced to develop pre-neoplastic colon cancer lesions will be treated with nanoencapsulated or free anthocyanins, and the number of lesions will be compared to the non-treated control group. The results are expected to understand the process of absorption and distribution of nanostructures, to observe the path in the body of nanoencapsulated anthocyanins, and possible increases in bioavailability and anticancer effects caused by nanoencapsulation. The identification of the biological effects of nanoencapsulated anthocyanins may indicate potential technological applicability for food fortification, and supplement development and may be effective as an adjuvant treatment for colon cancer. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ROSALES, THIECLA KATIANE OSVALDT; DA SILVA, FABIO FERNANDO ALVES; BERNARDES, EMERSON SOARES; FABI, JOAO PAULO. Plant-derived polyphenolic compounds: nanodelivery through polysaccharide-based systems to improve the biological properties. CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION, v. N/A, p. 25-pg., 2023-08-04. (22/12834-2, 13/07914-8, 23/09620-3, 23/01396-7)

ROSALES, THIECLA KATIANE OSVALDT; DA SILVA, FABIO FERNANDO ALVES; RIVERA, ANDY GONZALEZ; DOS SANTOS, SOFIA NASCIMENTO; BUSTOS, DANIEL; MORALES-QUINTANA, LUIS ALBERTO; SANTOS, HELDER A.; BERNARDES, EMERSON SOARES; FABI, JOAO PAULO. A study of the oral bioavailability and biodistribution increase of Nanoencapsulation-driven Delivering radiolabeled anthocyanins. Food Research International, v. 197, p. 14-pg., 2024-10-01. (13/07914-8, 22/12834-2, 23/09620-3, 23/01396-7)