A Simple Sonication Aided Wet Milling Method to Tune Hydrophobic Antioxidant Size for Suitable Bioavailability

Benefit

Diseases driven by reactive oxygen species (ROS) remain a major challenge in modern medicine, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic and preventive approaches. While antioxidants show strong potential for mitigating these conditions, many are hydrophobic and thus poorly soluble in the body. Furthermore, since endocytosis is limited to nanoparticles under 160 nm, larger or irregularly sized antioxidant particles are often cleared before achieving meaningful bioavailability. 

Researchers at USU developed a sonication-aided wet-milling process to precisely tune antioxidant nanoparticles to 80-160 nm, allowing for more frequent endocytosis. Additionally, this consistent approach produces nanoparticles of uniform size. This works with all hydrophobic pharmaceutical products. 

Previously, this problem has been solved by increasing the dosage size of therapeutic substances, which has led to more side effects, increased costs, and an increased likelihood of drug tolerance and resistance. Alternatively, an increased rate of endocytosis allows healthcare professionals to reduce prescription dosages, which in turn reduces side effects, medication costs, and waste, creating a safer, cheaper alternative for treatment. 

Market Application

This technology provides an improved method to make therapeutic agents bioavailable, which directly applies to drug manufacturing and healthcare. Pharmaceutical companies and hospitals will greatly benefit from this innovative approach.