The bifunctional nanomaterials of iron-chelating and antioxidant targeting the blood-brain barrier in the injured area alleviated cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries. After thrombolysis, oxidative stress and free iron levels in the area of brain injury rapidly increase, resulting in neural cell death via apoptosis and ferroptosis. Moreover, due to the limitations of the blood-brain barrier, most drugs cannot efficiently reach the injured area to treat the neurons in proximity to the injury. Here we describe nanoliposomes based on the damaged endothelial cell-targeting properties of platelets and the ability of rabies virus peptides to mediate penetration of the blood-brain barrier, carrying the natural antioxidant, lycopene, and the iron chelator, deferoxamine. After treatment with the nanomaterial, the brain injury area of ischemia-reperfusion mice was significantly reduced, and the apoptosis and ferroptosis of brain cells were remarkably improved. This dual-function, targeted nanoparticle represents a new approach for the treatment of stroke and other conditions related to neurological or peripheral ischemia-reperfusion injury.