Molecules· 2026Q1
Engineering Red Blood Cell Membrane-Coated PLGA Nanoparticles for Kahweol Delivery: Formulation Development and Pharmacokinetic Assessment
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Coating PLGA nanoparticles with red blood cell membranes (RBC-PLGA) significantly prolongs the systemic exposure of kahweol, a compound with anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, compared to PLGA nanoparticles alone or free kahweol.
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Key points
- Kahweol-loaded PLGA and RBC-PLGA nanoparticles achieved high encapsulation efficiency (>90%).
- Both nanoparticle types provided sustained kahweol release, unlike the rapid burst of free kahweol.
- RBC-PLGA nanoparticles showed a delayed time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) and extended half-life in rabbits.
- Systemic exposure of kahweol was significantly prolonged by RBC-PLGA nanoparticles compared to PLGA nanoparticles and free kahweol.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Kahweol is an active diterpene with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties; however, its use may be limited by unfavorable pharmacokinetic characteristics. This study aimed to develop kahweol-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and red blood cell membrane-coated PLGA (RBC-PLGA) nanoparticles and evaluate their in vitro release behavior and in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles. Kahweol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using the emulsification-solvent evaporation method and subsequently coated with rabbit erythrocyte membranes, a type of blood cell membrane, to obtain RBC-PLGA nanoparticles. Particle size, zeta potential, morphology, and encapsulation efficiency were characterized. In vitro release studies were performed using the dialysis bag method. Pharmacokinetic profiles of free kahweol, kahweol-loaded PLGA, and kahweol-loaded RBC-PLGA nanoparticles were evaluated in rabbits following intravenous administration (0.5 mg/kg), and plasma kahweol concentrations were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. PLGA and RBC-PLGA nanoparticles showed high encapsulation efficiency (>90%) and sustained biphasic release compared with the rapid burst release of free kahweol. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that PLGA and RBC-PLGA nanoparticles reduced peak plasma concentrations and prolonged systemic exposure. Among the nanoparticles, RBC-PLGA exhibited the most prolonged pharmacokinetic profile, with delayed time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax), extended half-life, and increased overall exposure. The nanoparticles improved the pharmacokinetic profile of kahweol by enabling sustained release and prolonged systemic exposure, supporting their potential as delivery platforms for future applications.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Molecules, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Complementary and alternative medicine
Complementary and alternative medicineMedicine