Potential Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Nanoparticles from Papaya Fruit

Jenn Hoskins
4th July, 2024

Potential Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Nanoparticles from Papaya Fruit

The yield of isolated exosome-like nanoparticles from papaya (Carica papaya) is visually optimized by adjusting PEG and NaCl concentrations (a) and pectolyase concentrations (b), resulting in the most abundant pellet under the optimal conditions established for this study (c).

Image adapted from: Iriawati et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, found that papaya-derived nanoparticles (PDENs) have strong anti-inflammatory properties
  • Papaya PDENs were stable for up to four weeks in specific storage conditions, making them practical for therapeutic use
  • In lab tests, these nanoparticles reduced inflammation markers and were safe for cells, showing potential for treating inflammation
Inflammation is an immune system response that identifies and eliminates foreign material. However, excessive and persistent inflammation can disrupt the healing process. Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) have emerged as promising candidates for therapeutic applications due to their safety, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. In a recent study conducted by researchers at the Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, papaya PDENs were isolated and characterized to evaluate their anti-inflammatory properties[1]. The study utilized a PEG6000-based method to isolate papaya PDENs, which were then characterized using various techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, GC-MS analysis, total phenolic content (TPC) analysis, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The isolated PDENs exhibited cup-shaped and spherical structures with an average diameter of 168.8 ± 9.62 nm. The stability of these PDENs was confirmed in aquabidest and 25 mM trehalose solution at -20˚C for up to four weeks. In vitro tests were conducted to assess the internalization, toxicity, and anti-inflammatory effects of papaya PDENs. The results showed that these nanoparticles could be internalized by RAW 264.7 cells and were non-cytotoxic. When LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells were treated with papaya PDENs, there was a significant reduction in nitric oxide (NO) production. Additionally, there was a downregulation in the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes IL-1B and IL-6, and an upregulation in the mRNA expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine gene IL-10. In vivo tests were conducted on zebrafish larvae, where inflammation was induced by caudal fin amputation. The results showed that papaya PDENs inhibited the migration of macrophages and neutrophils, further demonstrating their anti-inflammatory properties. The findings of this study align with previous research that has highlighted the potential of plant-derived nanoparticles in therapeutic applications. For instance, previous studies have shown that PDENs can modulate gene expression in a cross-kingdom fashion and exert multiple health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects[2]. Another study demonstrated that nanoparticles from Allium cepa L. could inhibit nitric oxide production without cytotoxic properties, similar to the findings in the current study[3]. Moreover, the current study expands on the previous research by providing a detailed characterization of papaya PDENs and demonstrating their stability and anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. The identification of key compounds such as 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP) in papaya PDENs adds to the understanding of their bioactive components and potential mechanisms of action. The study also addresses some of the challenges associated with the use of PDENs as functional food ingredients or therapeutic agents. For example, the stability of PDENs during storage and processing is a critical factor for their practical application[2]. The current study demonstrates that papaya PDENs remain stable in specific storage conditions, which is a significant step forward in their potential use. In conclusion, the research conducted by the Institut Teknologi Bandung provides compelling evidence that papaya PDENs possess significant anti-inflammatory properties. These findings, combined with previous research, suggest that PDENs could be a valuable addition to therapeutic strategies for managing inflammation. The study's detailed characterization and stability assessment of papaya PDENs also pave the way for future research and potential clinical applications.

FruitsMedicineBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Isolation and characterization of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles from Carica papaya L. fruit and their potential as anti-inflammatory agent.

Published 3rd July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304335

Related Studies

2) Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles: A concise review on its extraction methods, content, bioactivities, and potential as functional food ingredient.

https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15787

3) Onion (Allium cepa L.)-Derived Nanoparticles Inhibited LPS-Induced Nitrate Production, However, Their Intracellular Incorporation by Endocytosis Was Not Involved in This Effect on RAW264 Cells.

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092763


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