Scientists unveil nano-sized 'trojan horse' particle to aid nutrition
Washington, August 26 : Monash University researchers say that they have designed a
nano-sized "trojan horse" particle that protects antioxidants from being destroyed in the
gut, and ensures a better chance of them being absorbed in the digestive tract.
Dr Ken Ng and Dr Ian Larson from the University's Faculty of Pharmacy and
Pharmaceutical Sciences highlight the fact that antioxidant are known to neutralise the
harmful effect of free radicals and other reactive chemical species that are constantly
generated by the body, and are thought to promote better health.
They say that when antioxidants are given orally to people at high risk of developing
conditions like atherosclerosis, diabetes or Alzheimer's disease, they are easily
destroyed by acids and enzymes in their bodies, with only a small percentage of what is
consumed actually being absorbed.
According to the researchers, the solution lies in designing a tiny sponge-like
chitosan biopolymeric nanoparticle as a protective vehicle for antioxidants.
Chitosan is a natural substance found in crab shells, they point out.
"Antioxidants sit within this tiny trojan horse, protecting it from attack from
digestive juices in the stomach. Once in the small intestine the nanoparticle gets sticky
and bonds to the intestinal wall. It then leaks its contents directly into the intestinal
cells, which allows them to be absorbed directly into the blood stream," Dr Larson
said.
"We hope that by mastering this technique, drugs and supplements also vulnerable to the
digestive process can be better absorbed by the human body," the researcher added.
The researchers have revealed that their study will proceed to trials early next
year.
Although the research was in its early stages, Dr. Ng said that the longer term aim of
the project would be to include similarly treated nanoparticles into food items, similar
to adding Omega-3 to bread or milk.
"For catechins - the class of antioxidants under examination and among the most potent
dietary antioxidants -- only between 0.1 and 1.1 per cent of the amount consumed makes it
into our blood. If we can improve that rate, the benefits are enormous," Dr. Ng said.
--ANI
