Work

Manganese ferrite nanoparticles functionalized with gallic acid for inhibition of insulin amyloids formation and mitigation of oxidative stress

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Protein misfolding and aggregation into amyloid fibrils are central features of several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. Oxidative stress further exacerbates amyloid-related cytotoxicity, highlighting the need for multifunctional therapeutic strategies. In this study, manganese ferrite nanoparticles (MnFe₂O₄ NPs) were synthesized and functionalized with gallic acid (GA), a natural antioxidant, to create nanocomposites (NCs) with both anti-amyloidogenic and antioxidant properties. Two functionalization strategies were investigated: (i) direct covalent conjugation of GA onto oleylamine-coated MnFe₂O₄ NPs using EDC/NHS chemistry (MFO@GA), and (ii) physical adsorption of GA onto polymer-coated MnFe₂O₄ NPs using polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polyethylenimine (PEI) as matrices (MF@PEG-GA and MFO@PEI-GA, respectively). The resulting NCs were thoroughly characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, TGA, and magnetic measurements, confirming successful GA incorporation. Antioxidant activity, evaluated via DPPH and H₂O₂ assays, revealed that GA incorporation significantly enhanced radical scavenging capacity. MFO@PEI-GA exhibited the lowest DPPH IC₅₀ values (24.8 μg/mL at 30 min), while MFO@GA showed the strongest H₂O₂ scavenging effect (IC₅₀ = 68.55 μg/mL). Anti-amyloidogenic activity against insulin fibrillation was assessed via Thioflavin T (ThT) assay. MFO@GA achieved the highest inhibition of fibril formation (74.3% inhibition; final aggregation 25.7%), along with the most effective fibril disassembly (21.82% remaining fluorescence, t₁/₂ = 0.89 h). Polymer coatings modulated GA release profiles, with PEI matrices enabling sustained release over 48 hours. These findings underscore the synergistic antioxidant and anti-amyloid properties of GA-functionalized MnFe₂O₄ NPs and suggest their potential for mitigating amyloidosis and oxidative stress.

Source: Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.138114

Authors: Kleoniki Giannousi, Panagiotis Dimopoulos Toursidis, Eleftheria Chatzatoglou, Catherine Dendrinou-Samara

Institution: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Language: English

Topic: Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,200