Incorporation of glycyrrhizic acid and polyene phosphatidylcholine in lipid nanoparticles ameliorates acute liver injury via delivering p65 siRNA

Liver injury caused by hepatitis is the pathological basis of varied hepatic diseases with high morbidity and mortality. Although siRNA appears promising in therapeutics of hepatitis, efficient and safe delivery remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a new strategy of incorporating glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and polyene phosphatidylcholine (PPC) into lipid nanoparticles (GA/PPC-modified LNPs), which was capable of promoting cellular uptake, enhancing gene-silencing, reducing cytotoxicity and improving siRNA stability. GA/PPC-modified LNP and siRNA lipoplex targeting NF-κB, a key mediator of inflammation, mitigates acute liver injury, as assessed by liver histology, hematological and pro-inflammatory cytokine analysis. Furthermore, GA/PPC-modified LNPs reveal efficiently intracellular delivery of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and mRNA inhibiting viral infection. In conclusion, GA/PPC-modified LNPs could be used as a promising delivery system for nucleic acid-based therapy.