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ROS-responsive ecdysterone nanodelivery system ameliorates Alzheimer's disease via synergistic modulation of oxidative stress and amyloid-β deposition

Elsevier, Chemical Engineering Journal, Volume 522, 15 October 2025
Authors
H., Xing, Haihui, X., Sun, Xuan, L., Xing, Lei, Q., Li, Qiaoyun, M., Puyang, Mingjie, L., Liu, Lihua et al.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prototypical neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, hyperphosphorylated Tau protein accumulation, and oxidative stress cascades. Current therapeutic strategies are constrained by limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration efficiency and insufficient targeting specificity. This study developed a brain-targeting intelligent nanodelivery system (CC-Ang@ECR) based on the natural pleiotropic neuroprotectant ecdysterone (ECR) to synergistically modulate AD pathological networks. The system employs carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) as the backbone, functionalized with hydrophobic 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid (CPBA) to construct a ROS-responsive amphiphilic polymer (CMCS-CPBA, abbreviated as CC), and further modified with Ang-2 peptide for targeted engagement of LRP receptors on BBB endothelial cells, enabling efficient brain delivery. The nanocarrier encapsulates hydrophobic ECR via hydrophobic interactions, achieves BBB transcytosis through Ang-2 peptide mediation, and releases ECR precisely in AD lesions via CPBA hydrolysis triggered by elevated ROS microenvironments. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that CC-Ang@ECR effectively scavenges excessive ROS, suppresses oxidative stress, attenuates aberrant Aβ deposition, downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), inhibits neuronal apoptosis, and ultimately ameliorates cognitive and motor impairments. This system overcomes the BBB limitations and off-target risks inherent to conventional therapies, providing an innovative solution for synergistic AD therapy.