AUTHOR=Zhang Jianming , Teng Chao , Li Caolong , He Wei 

TITLE=Deliver Anti-inflammatory Drug Baicalein to Macrophages by Using a Crystallization Strategy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2020.00787

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2020.00787

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=<p>Macrophages are potent to modulate inflammation <italic>via</italic> phenotypic switch and production of inflammatory factors. Baicalein (BCL) is frequently used to alleviate inflammation; however, its application is always hindered due to low solubility. Herein, BCL nanocrystals (BNRs) were prepared to improve its delivery to macrophages. The prepared BNRs have a diameter of 150 nm with a rod-like structure. The nanocrystals could be well-taken up by macrophages <italic>via</italic> the caveolar pathway and, therefore, promote the polarization switch from proinflammatory phenotype to anti-inflammatory macrophages and alleviate the inflammation <italic>via</italic> reducing production cytokine IL-12. In conclusion, the crystallization strategy is promising for the improvement of the solubility of BCL and promotion of its anti-inflammatory activities.</p>