The alleviation of lipid deposition in steatosis hepatocytes by capsaicin-loaded -lactalbumin nanomicelles via promoted endocytosis and synergetic multiple signaling pathways

A capsaicin delivery system was developed by self-assembling of ?-lactalbumin polypeptides into nanomicelles. The capsaicin was loaded into the ?-lactalbumin micelles via hydrophobic interaction with an embedding amount of 126.58 mg/g. Steatotic HepG2 cells were treated with the capsaicin-loaded nanomicelles and the antilipogenesis effect of the cells was significantly improved. The endocytosis rate of capsaicin was improved by nanomicelles. Moreover, the nanomicelles could escape from lysosomes and overcome P-glycoprotein efflux pump effect, which prevented the capsaicin being pumped out of cells. Furthermore, the capsaicin-loaded nanomicelles showed a deep penetration and anti-lipogenesis effect on steatotic HepG2 spheroid model. Western blotting results suggested that the capsaicin-loaded nanomicelles remarkably inhibited lipogenesis, promoted lipid hydrolysis and macro-autophagy compared with free capsaicin. The present study suggested that the ?-lactalbumin nanocarriers exhibited a considerable potential in delivery of hydrophobic bioactive ingredients into cells effectively and maximized their bioactivities in functional foods.