Speaker
Description
Abstract. The brain is susceptible to oxidative stress due to its high oxygen consumption and rich lipid content. Galangin is not just Cu(II) chelator (by Fenton-like reaction), but it is also a potent antioxidant, scavenger of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, thus reducing oxidative damage to neurons, DNA, proteins, and lipids, which is crucial in neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries1,2. Studies have confirmed the existence of galangin derivatives in propolis, with dose-dependent antioxidant activity3. Enhancing galangin's ability to reach the brain is a challenge due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) selectivity. The nanotechnology-based approaches to enhance galangin's brain delivery using liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles and nano-suspensions are very popular. Also there are some drug designs for improving the solubility or can be conjugated to galangin by taking over natural transport systems at the BBB which bind to specific receptors on the surface of brain endothelial cells. Invasive methods are possible, however, here it is proposed the most non-invasive approach by intranasal delivery of galangin (the nose-to-brain pathway). The commercial propоlis sprays are inadequate because of low concentrations of galangin, however, that can be optimized in pharmacokinetic studies to determine the galangin concentration that reaches the brain in therapeutically relevant concentrations.
Keywords: antioxidant, neuroinflammation, bioavailability, nanosuspension.
References
[1] Wang, D. et al, A food-derived flavonoid with therapeutic potential against a wide spectrum of diseases. Phytother Res. 2023, 37(12), 5700-5723. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8013
[2] Hewage, S. M. et al, Galangin (3,5,7-Trihydroxyflavone) Shields Human Keratinocytes from Ultraviolet B-Induced Oxidative Stress. Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2015, 23(2), 165–173. https://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2014.130
[3] Hossain, R., Propolis: An update on its chemistry and pharmacological applications, Chin Med. 2022, 17, 100. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-022-00651-2
