Effect of folic acid-Echinacea-derived alkylamides liposomes on mice with ulcerative colitis

Effect of folic acid-Echinacea-derived alkylamides liposomes on mice with ulcerative colitis | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 24 January 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Effect of folic acid-Echinacea-derived alkylamides liposomes on mice with ulcerative colitis Authors : Yun Gao , Xiaoman Zheng , Yuqing Li , Xiaoxiao Du , Zongtao Zuo , Jiahui Mei , Kailun Xi , Yongshi Lin , Xirui Zheng , Shining Guo 0000-0003-3066-6906 , and Cui Liu [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176925123.36398647/v1 118 views 65 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Background and Purpose: Alkylamides (AADs) are lipophilic bioactive compounds found in plants of the families Asteraceae, Aristolochiaceae, Piperaceae, and others. It has demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing inflammation and modulating immune responses, establishing it as a promising therapeutic agent for ulcerative colitis (UC). We investigated the efficacy of AADs and folic acid-alkylamide liposomes (FAL) on macrophage inflammation and a mouse model of UC. Methods: AAds were extracted from the roots of Echinacea purpurea by methanol, petroleum ether extraction and silica gel column chromatography. The FAL were prepared by ethanol injection method and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography and scanning electron microscopy, and low speed centrifugation was used to determine the encapsulation rate and drug loading capacity of FAL, as well as to determine the stability and the rate of release, to assess the characterization of FAL. And its efficacy was relevantly validated using cellular and animal models. Results: AADs were isolated from Echinacea purpurea roots, and FAL was prepared, yielding uniformly spherical particles (122.7 ± 0.4 nm) with a high encapsulation efficiency (85.72 ± 2.48%) and drug loading (4.54 ± 0.12%). FAL suppressed the M1 macrophage markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and CD86) in RAW264.7 cells while elevating the expression of M2 markers (IL-10 and Arg-1). In vivo, FAL lowered the disease activity index and colon index in UC mice, increased colon length, and mitigated histopathological damage. Furthermore, FAL modulated cytokine levels in serum and colon tissue, downregulated the NF-κB/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 axis. Conclusion: FAL particles are small and uniform, exhibiting high encapsulation efficiency. They ameliorate colonic inflammation in mice by suppressing macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype while promoting M2 polarization. This formulation also modulates the Nrf2/HO-1 and JAK2/STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathways, thereby reducing inflammatory cytokine levels in the mouse colon and alleviating ulcerative colitis. Supplementary Material File (manuscript.docx) Download 17.99 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 24 January 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Authors Affiliations Yun Gao South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Xiaoman Zheng South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Yuqing Li South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Xiaoxiao Du South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Zongtao Zuo South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Jiahui Mei South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Kailun Xi South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Yongshi Lin South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Xirui Zheng South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Shining Guo 0000-0003-3066-6906 South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Cui Liu [email protected] South China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 118 views 65 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Yun Gao, Xiaoman Zheng, Yuqing Li, et al. Effect of folic acid-Echinacea-derived alkylamides liposomes on mice with ulcerative colitis. Authorea . 24 January 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176925123.36398647/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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