Liposomal NMN-Case Study

Background

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) is a key intermediate in the synthesis of coenzyme I (NAD+). NMN serves as a precursor to NAD+ and can be supplemented to increase NAD+ levels in the body. Studies have shown that NMN supplementation can increase NAD+ concentrations and may attenuate aging-related diseases such as oxidative stress, DNA damage, neurodegenerative and inflammatory responses. NMN supplementation has shown positive effects in animal models, including slowing aging and preventing age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and metabolic dysfunction. However, NMN is susceptible to deterioration due to temperature and humidity, and liposomes are well suited to address this challenge.

Challenge

• Low solubility & Low bioavailability
• Chemical stability issues
• Biological stability issues
• Imprecise controlled release technology

Solution

This encapsulation property of liposomes makes them an effective drug delivery system that can improve drug stability and bioavailability while reducing toxic side effects and enabling targeted delivery. CD Bioparticles has extensive experience in developing liposomes over the years and has the capability for stable batch production and industrialization. Liposomal NMN prepared using high-pressure homogenization technology exhibit the following properties:

Results

Note: P2 is a special process formulation 1. P6 is a special process formulation 2.

• As shown in Figure 1 , the experimental results indicate that NMN liposomes are spherical in shape and homogeneous, and the liposome nanosize is around 50 nm. The encapsulation rate was in the range of 20-40%.

Figure 1. (A) TEM picture of liposomal NMN; (B) DLS of liposomal NMN.

• Each group of mice was weighed and administered orally by gavage at 650 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. Liver and skeletal muscle tissues were taken on the 14th day of administration and their NAD+ levels were measured. The experimental results showed that compared with normal NMN, the NAD+ level in the liver tissues of mice after 14 consecutive days was 1.74 times higher than that of the NMN group. The NAD+ level in the skeletal muscle of mice was 5.95 times higher than that of the NMN group. This also confirms that liposome encapsulation technology can effectively improve the oral bioavailability of NMN. (Figure 2)

Figure 2. Pictures of NAD+ levels in mouse liver and skeletal muscle.

Methods

References

1. Zhang L, et al.; Controlled production of liposomes with novel microfluidic membrane emulsification for application of entrapping hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 2023, 131: 470-480.
2. Hocking A, et al.; The safety and exploration of the pharmacokinetics of intrapleural liposomal curcumin. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2020,15: 943-952.