Platelet membrane-camouflaged matrine biomimetic nanoparticles for efficient acute lung injury therapy

Sepsis frequently progresses to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which are associated with high mortality. Current treatments face limitations due to resistance and toxicity. Matrine, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties but suffers from poor selectivity and potential toxicity. To address these challenges, this study developed platelet membrane-coated matrine nanoparticles (PM@Mat-NPs) for targeted ALI treatment. The PM@Mat-NPs, characterized by a particle size of ∼500 nm, zeta potential of -58 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 82.1 ± 1.5%, effectively inhibited LPS-induced endothelial cell damage <i>in vitro</i>. In an ALI mouse model, PM@Mat-NPs selectively accumulated in inflamed lung tissue, significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and alleviated histological damage. They also suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation and apoptosis, outperforming free matrine. Biosafety evaluations confirmed no significant adverse effects. This study introduces a biomimetic nano-platform for the targeted delivery of Chinese herbal components, offering a promising strategy for treating acute lung injury.