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Design and Evaluation of a Inonotus obliquus–AgNP–Maltodextrin Delivery System: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Potential

Summary

Researchers studied Chaga mushroom from Romania and developed new ways to package and deliver its beneficial compounds using silver nanoparticles and a food-safe ingredient called maltodextrin. These new delivery systems were designed to work better in the body by improving how well the mushroom’s active ingredients dissolve and stay stable. Testing showed these enhanced formulations were very effective at fighting bacteria, protecting cells from damage, and killing cancer cells.

Background

Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) is a medicinal fungus with documented therapeutic potential, but its practical application is limited by poor solubility, limited stability, and reduced bioavailability of bioactive compounds. Romanian sources of I. obliquus remain understudied despite ethnomedicinal significance, representing a gap in scientific literature.

Objective

This study presents the first comprehensive chemical and biological screening of I. obliquus from Romanian sources and introduces novel polymer-based encapsulation systems to enhance stability and bioavailability of its bioactive constituents.

Results

Analysis revealed 142 bioactive constituents including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, amino acids, coumarins, and fatty acids. Both IO–AgNPs and MIO–AgNPs demonstrated potent antioxidant activity, significant acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and robust antimicrobial effects against multiple bacterial strains. MIO–AgNPs showed superior cytotoxicity against MCF-7, HCT116, and HeLa cancer cell lines.

Conclusion

This study establishes Romanian I. obliquus as a source of diverse bioactive compounds and demonstrates that synergistic integration of maltodextrin and silver nanoparticles enhances compound stability and bioactivity. Polymer-based nanoencapsulation represents an effective strategy for optimizing I. obliquus applications in combating microbial resistance and cancer.
  • Published in:Polymers (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40808211, DOI: 10.3390/polym17152163
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