CXCR4 Nanoparticles Deliver Hesperetin in Experimental Acute Lung Injury
Published in Drugs development & discovery, Journals, Nanomedicine.
A study published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine on October 5, 2026 describes an experimental carrier for delivering hesperetin to inflamed lungs. Researchers built nanoparticles with a reactive-oxygen-sensitive core and a cell-membrane coating enriched in the CXCR4 receptor.
The design combines inflammation targeting through the CXCR4/SDF-1α pathway with drug release triggered by reactive oxygen species. It was evaluated in cultured cells and mice with lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.
The authors report greater accumulation in inflamed lung tissue, reduced pulmonary edema and inflammatory markers, and improvements in measures of mitochondrial function. Acute safety tests were performed at the experimental doses.
These findings are preclinical. They do not establish effectiveness or long-term safety in people. The authors also note that a direct comparison with a non-responsive control carrier would strengthen evidence for the proposed release mechanism.
Source: Li and colleagues, International Journal of Nanomedicine (October 5, 2026). DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S630254.