Overlooked Spherical Nanoparticles Exist in Plant Extracts: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

To date, plant medicine research has focused mainly on the chemical compositions of plant extracts and their medicinal effects. However, the therapeutic or toxic effects of nanoparticles in plant extracts remain unclear. In this study, large numbers of spherical nanoparticles were discovered in some plant extracts. Nanoparticles in Turkish galls extracts were used as an example to examine their pH responsiveness, free radical scavenging, and antibacterial capabilities. By utilizing the underlying formation mechanism of these nanoparticles, a general platform to produce spherical nanoparticles via direct self-assembly of Turkish gall extracts and various functional proteins was developed. The results showed that the nanoparticles retained both the antibacterial ability and intracellular carrier ability of the original protein or catechol. This work introduces a new member of the plant-derived edible nanoparticle (PDEN) family, establishes a simple and versatile platform for mass production nanoparticles, and provides new insight into the formation mechanism of nanoparticles during plant extraction.

Collision of herbal medicine and nanotechnology: a bibliometric analysis of herbal nanoparticles from 2004 to 2023

“…For example, Han Bo reported the presence of spherical nanoparticles in gallnut decoction. These nanoparticles were formed via the self-assembly of gallic acid compounds and gallnut larval proteins [ 157 ]. Furthermore, TCM mixtures of Qingxue Chushi decoction contain drug delivery systems based on liquorice proteins.…”

Recognition on pharmacodynamic ingredients of natural products

“…TCMD-SANs are nanoparticles formed by molecular recognition and self-assembly of chemical components during the decoction of TCMD. They include SANs from Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian-Tang decoction, Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan-Tang decoction, Bai-Hu-Tang decoction, Coptis chinensis decoction, Turkish galls decoction and Qi-Yin-San-Liang-San decoction ( Ping et al, 2020 , Lü et al, 2018 , Wu et al, 2020 , Lenaghan et al, 2013 , Zhang et al, 2016 , Lin et al, 2017 , Zhou et al, 2014 , Zhou et al, 2016 , Zhou et al, 2019 , Fan et al, 2023 , Zhang et al, 2024 ). Conversely, SANs formed by artificial assembly of TCM compounds are generated when the chemical components of TCM have been manually assembled into nanoparticles.…”

Study on the Nanoaggregate Formation Mechanism and Antipyretic Effect of Maxing Shigan Decoction

“…During the decoction process of TCM, various chemical reactions occur, such as hydrolysis, oxidation, and acid–base neutralization . In addition, during the decoction process, ingredients in Chinese medicines are subjected to hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces, π–π stacking, and electrostatic forces, all of which contribute to the self-assembly of components into particulate aggregates. , In TCM, active ingredients are characterized by their tendency to self-assemble, including proteins, saccharides, and saponins. , Furthermore, boiling licorice led to the formation of protein nanoparticles capable of encapsulating astragaloside, thus increasing the solubilization of active components and enhancing the efficacy of the drug . In addition, rhein may self-assemble to form hydrogels through stacking and hydrogen bonding.…”