The alleviation of lipid deposition in steatosis hepatocytes by capsaicin-loaded α-lactalbumin nanomicelles via promoted endocytosis and synergetic multiple signaling pathways

Abstract

A capsaicin delivery system was developed by self-assembling of α-lactalbumin polypeptides into nanomicelles. The capsaicin was loaded into the α-lactalbumin micelles via hydrophobic interaction with an embedding amount of 126.58 mg/g. Steatotic HepG2 cells were treated with the capsaicin-loaded nanomicelles and the anti-lipogenesis effect of the cells was significantly improved. The endocytosis rate of capsaicin was improved by nanomicelles. Moreover, the nanomicelles could escape from lysosomes and overcome P-glycoprotein efflux pump effect, which prevented the capsaicin being pumped out of cells. Furthermore, the capsaicin-loaded nanomicelles showed a deep penetration and anti-lipogenesis effect on steatotic HepG2 spheroid model. Western blotting results suggested that the capsaicin-loaded nanomicelles remarkably inhibited lipogenesis, promoted lipid hydrolysis and macro-autophagy compared with free capsaicin. The present study suggested that the α-lactalbumin nanocarriers exhibited a considerable potential in delivery of hydrophobic bioactive ingredients into cells effectively and maximized their bioactivities in functional foods.

Keywords

• α-Lactalbumin
• Nanomicelles
• Capsaicin
• HepG2 steatosis cell model
• Anti-lipogenesis