Russian and Iranian scientists develop edible granules to slow ageing processes

Scientists from Saint Petersburg State University (SPBU) and the University of Tehran have developed an edible polymer-based delivery system designed to improve the absorption of antioxidants, which help counter oxidative processes linked to cell damage, disease and premature ageing. The innovation addresses a key challenge in medicine, as many biologically active compounds are quickly broken down in the stomach, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness.

According to the press service of Saint Petersburg State University, the researchers created sodium alginate granules – a food-grade polymer – containing biocompatible nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite and boehmite. Interactions between the nanoparticles, the polymer and the active substances enhance the granules’ structure and allow for controlled swelling and gradual release of compounds in the intestine. 

Iranian researchers, led by Professor of Food Bioprocess Engineering at the University of Tehran Seyed Hadi Razavi, contributed an antioxidant extract from borage, a widely distributed plant known for its anti-inflammatory and protective properties. Meanwhile, scientists in Russia synthesised nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes and developed the granule production technique. 

According to group leader, an associate professor at SPBU Olga Osmolovskaya, the key achievement was the ability to control delivery properties by adjusting nanoparticle parameters, paving the way for safer and more effective drug delivery systems.

"Filling the granules with particles of different nature, size and shape affects their structure and, consequently, how the polymer capsule swells in the intestine and releases the active substance. The study employed physicochemical and quantum chemical methods, which made it possible to understand how to obtain particles with the desired parameters and to design granules that ensure optimal release and absorption of active components," she noted. 

As a result, researchers at Saint Petersburg State University identified the mechanisms behind the formation of hydroxyapatite and boehmite nanoparticles and used them to develop a new drug delivery system. The key outcome was a method to control granule swelling and the release of active compounds by adjusting nanoparticle shape, size and composition.

Photo: Martin Philip / iStock