Neuroprotective Effect of Chitosan Nanoparticle-Delivered Orientin Against Hypoxia-Induced Brain Injury in Rats


Topaloglu I., Atasoy C., Ozduygu G., Erdogdu E., Batihan G., Gelen V., ...Daha Fazla

MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY, cilt.63, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 63 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s12035-026-06076-4
  • Dergi Adı: MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Reduced brain oxygenation rapidly amplifies oxidative and inflammatory injury, creating a self-perpetuating cascade that can end in neuronal loss. Orientin can activate Nrf2/ARE-dependent antioxidant responses and suppress NF-kappa B-mediated inflammation, but poor solubility and limited bioavailability weaken its therapeutic impact. Here, we used chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) to improve Orientin delivery and evaluated the protective effects of CNPs/Orientin on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in hypoxia-induced brain injury. Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were split into eight groups: (Control, Orientin, CNPs, CNPs/Orientin, Hypoxia, Hypoxia+Orientin, Hypoxia+CNPs, Hypoxia+CNPs/Orientin). The hypoxia model was applied with an 8% O-2+92% N-2 gas mixture for 8 h per day for 7 days. Orientin (40 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was administered simultaneously with the hypoxia period. MDA, SOD, GSH, BDNF, HIF-1 alpha, iNOS, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha levels were determined by ELISA; gene expressions of Caspase-3, Bcl-2, HO-1, NRF2, NF-kappa B, and TNF-alpha were quantified by RT-PCR. Histological evaluations were performed in the cortex and hippocampus regions. CNPs/Orientin had a mean diameter of similar to 245 nm, a positive zeta potential (+29 mV), 81.3% encapsulation efficiency, and sustained release (79.6% over 72 h). Hypoxia significantly decreased SOD, GSH, and BDNF, while increasing MDA, HIF-1 alpha, iNOS, and Caspase-3 levels (p < 0.05). All treatment groups attenuated the hypoxia-induced increase in IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha; however, cytokine levels did not differ significantly among the treatment arms. In the Hypoxia+CNPs/Orientin group, oxidative/nitrosative markers and neuronal histopathological findings were improved compared with hypoxia. Orientin delivered via chitosan nanoparticles demonstrated a significant neuroprotective effect, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis while preserving neuronal structural integrity in hypoxia-induced brain injury. These results suggest that the nano-carrier form of Orientin may be a potential therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative processes.