The synergistic effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate and quercetin co-loaded hydrogel beads on inflammatory bowel disease

The synergistic effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (E) and quercetin (Q) enhances the therapeutic efficacy on related diseases; however, the instability and lower bioavailability of E and Q limited their application. Therefore, E and Q were co-encapsulated in hydrogel beads (H) with sodium alginate (SA) and soybean protein isolate (SPI) to improve their stability and bioavailability. The anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism of action of E and Q co-loaded H in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were also investigated. The results showed that EQH-treated macrophages produced the lowest NO and TNF-alpha at 18.64 mu mol L-1 and 5855.25 ng mL(-1), respectively. The protein expression of p-NF kappa B-p65 was the lowest in EQH, indicating that EQH inhibits the activation of the pro-inflammatory NF-kappa B signaling pathway. The colon length of IBD model rats fed EH, QH, and EQH increased; histological analysis revealed intact layers of colonic epithelial cells with no observable tissue damage. The TNF-a and IL-1 beta levels in the plasma of the EQH-treated rats decreased, indicating the inhibition of the TLR4 and NF-kappa B signaling pathways, and Q's level in the colon was the highest at 0.04 mg mL(-1). This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of E and Q in IBD.

Automated summary

Indicates the typical substances with synergistic effects, mainly used in the treatment of related diseases, but limited by their instability and low bioavailability. Therefore, researchers encapsulated these substances in hydrogel beads with sodium alginate and soybean protein isolate to improve their stability and bioavailability. The anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism of action of these substances in inflammatory bowel disease were also investigated.