A hepatocyte targeted corn peptide—galactooligosaccharide nanoparticle for the alleviation of ethanol-induced damage in cells

Alcoholic liver disease is defined as damage of liver structure and function caused by prolonged heavy alcohol consumption, and novel preventive and treatment options are needed. Corn peptide (CP), which is produced through enzymatic hydrolysis of corn protein, is a bioactive polypeptide that has been used for hangover relief and liver support. To alleviate alcohol-induced damage to liver cells, we designed hepatocyte-targeted nanoparticles consisting of CPs attached via the Maillard reaction to galactooligosaccharides (GOS). The resulting CPs-GOS measured 73.19 nm in diameter, presented a uniform spherical morphology, and exhibited e storage stability, free radical scavenging ability, and biocompatibility. Importantly, the high stability and the efficient accumulation of CPs-GOS in LO2 cells can be attributed to the galactosyl component of the GOS. In cultured hepatocytes, treatment with CP-GOS increased ethanol-induced cell viability from 48.87 to 75.18%, and reduced oxidative stress. Our study demonstrated great potential for the CPs-GOS nanoparticle system as an intervention for alcoholic liver disease.