Phenolic-loaded nanofiber from Arctium lappa root: a potential therapy for testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative stress

Abstract Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, often associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. This study explores the therapeutic potential of Arctium lappa phenolic-rich fraction encapsulated nanofiber (ALPRF-NF) in a testosterone-ind...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Viana Khojasteh, Seyed Amirmohammad Mollanorouzi, Ehsan Karimi, Behrouz Ghorani, Ehsan Oskoueian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Biological Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13036-025-00515-x
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850277743962357760
author Viana Khojasteh
Seyed Amirmohammad Mollanorouzi
Ehsan Karimi
Behrouz Ghorani
Ehsan Oskoueian
author_facet Viana Khojasteh
Seyed Amirmohammad Mollanorouzi
Ehsan Karimi
Behrouz Ghorani
Ehsan Oskoueian
author_sort Viana Khojasteh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, often associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. This study explores the therapeutic potential of Arctium lappa phenolic-rich fraction encapsulated nanofiber (ALPRF-NF) in a testosterone-induced PCOS mouse model. All experiments were performed in triplicate and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was used to assess significant differences between means, with significance determined at p < 0.05. The ALPRF-NF formulation demonstrated favorable physicochemical properties, including a ribbon-like structure (216.9 nm), a zeta potential of -19.3 mV, and a high encapsulation efficiency (93.1%). In vivo findings showed that ALPRF-NF significantly improved body weight, feed intake, and liver enzyme profiles in PCOS-induced mice (p ≤ 0.05). It also enhanced the antioxidant defense system by elevating levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Mechanistically, ALPRF-NF reduced oxidative stress and inflammation by delivering phenolic compounds that scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulate gene expression in ovarian tissue. This included downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and upregulation of SOD expression. These results suggest that ALPRF-NF effectively mitigates testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative damage and inflammation, offering a targeted, nanotechnology-based therapeutic approach for PCOS. The study provides valuable insights into novel strategies for improving women’s reproductive health through bioactive compound delivery.
format Article
id doaj-art-088213b35a0145f58f98048120b4df4e
institution OA Journals
issn 1754-1611
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Journal of Biological Engineering
spelling doaj-art-088213b35a0145f58f98048120b4df4e2025-08-20T01:49:44ZengBMCJournal of Biological Engineering1754-16112025-05-0119111010.1186/s13036-025-00515-xPhenolic-loaded nanofiber from Arctium lappa root: a potential therapy for testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative stressViana Khojasteh0Seyed Amirmohammad Mollanorouzi1Ehsan Karimi2Behrouz Ghorani3Ehsan Oskoueian4Department of Biology, Ma. C., Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Biology, Ma. C., Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Biology, Ma. C., Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Food Nanotechnology, Research Institute of Food Science and Technology (RIFST)Department of Biology, Ma. C., Islamic Azad UniversityAbstract Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, often associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. This study explores the therapeutic potential of Arctium lappa phenolic-rich fraction encapsulated nanofiber (ALPRF-NF) in a testosterone-induced PCOS mouse model. All experiments were performed in triplicate and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was used to assess significant differences between means, with significance determined at p < 0.05. The ALPRF-NF formulation demonstrated favorable physicochemical properties, including a ribbon-like structure (216.9 nm), a zeta potential of -19.3 mV, and a high encapsulation efficiency (93.1%). In vivo findings showed that ALPRF-NF significantly improved body weight, feed intake, and liver enzyme profiles in PCOS-induced mice (p ≤ 0.05). It also enhanced the antioxidant defense system by elevating levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Mechanistically, ALPRF-NF reduced oxidative stress and inflammation by delivering phenolic compounds that scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulate gene expression in ovarian tissue. This included downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and upregulation of SOD expression. These results suggest that ALPRF-NF effectively mitigates testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative damage and inflammation, offering a targeted, nanotechnology-based therapeutic approach for PCOS. The study provides valuable insights into novel strategies for improving women’s reproductive health through bioactive compound delivery.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13036-025-00515-xNanomedicineDrug deliveryEncapsulationPolycystic ovary syndrome
spellingShingle Viana Khojasteh
Seyed Amirmohammad Mollanorouzi
Ehsan Karimi
Behrouz Ghorani
Ehsan Oskoueian
Phenolic-loaded nanofiber from Arctium lappa root: a potential therapy for testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative stress
Journal of Biological Engineering
Nanomedicine
Drug delivery
Encapsulation
Polycystic ovary syndrome
title Phenolic-loaded nanofiber from Arctium lappa root: a potential therapy for testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative stress
title_full Phenolic-loaded nanofiber from Arctium lappa root: a potential therapy for testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative stress
title_fullStr Phenolic-loaded nanofiber from Arctium lappa root: a potential therapy for testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative stress
title_full_unstemmed Phenolic-loaded nanofiber from Arctium lappa root: a potential therapy for testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative stress
title_short Phenolic-loaded nanofiber from Arctium lappa root: a potential therapy for testosterone-induced ovarian oxidative stress
title_sort phenolic loaded nanofiber from arctium lappa root a potential therapy for testosterone induced ovarian oxidative stress
topic Nanomedicine
Drug delivery
Encapsulation
Polycystic ovary syndrome
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13036-025-00515-x
work_keys_str_mv AT vianakhojasteh phenolicloadednanofiberfromarctiumlapparootapotentialtherapyfortestosteroneinducedovarianoxidativestress
AT seyedamirmohammadmollanorouzi phenolicloadednanofiberfromarctiumlapparootapotentialtherapyfortestosteroneinducedovarianoxidativestress
AT ehsankarimi phenolicloadednanofiberfromarctiumlapparootapotentialtherapyfortestosteroneinducedovarianoxidativestress
AT behrouzghorani phenolicloadednanofiberfromarctiumlapparootapotentialtherapyfortestosteroneinducedovarianoxidativestress
AT ehsanoskoueian phenolicloadednanofiberfromarctiumlapparootapotentialtherapyfortestosteroneinducedovarianoxidativestress