Natural Compound-Driven Nano-Self-Assembly for Multimechanistic Transdermal Antiobesity Therapy
ACS Nano, vol. 20, pp. 5171–5188
Abstract
Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by excessive fat accumulation and chronic, low-grade inflammation, contributing to a range of associated diseases. Conventional treatments are often limited by poor targeting, low efficacy, and undesirable side effects. Natural compounds with anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory properties have attracted considerable attention due to their safety and multitarget mechanisms. Herein, we propose an effective antiobesity strategy involving the construction of a carrier-free nanodrug (CG NPs) via the self-assembly of two natural compounds, curcumin (Cur) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), both of which exhibit multiple antiobesity effects. To achieve efficient and targeted delivery, CG NPs are incorporated into a dissolvable microneedle coated with black phosphorus nanosheets (CG@BP/MN), forming a biocompatible transdermal platform. When combined with mild photothermal therapy, CG@BP/MN enables transdermal drug delivery to modulate subcutaneous fat, efficiently promoting white adipose tissue browning, enhancing lipolysis, and modulating macrophage polarization. Cur and GA act synergistically to regulate lipid metabolism, attenuate inflammation, and improve insulin sensitivity. In a diet-induced obesity mouse model, this therapeutic plan significantly reduces body weight, elevates energy expenditure, and prevents weight regain following treatment cessation. Overall, this therapeutic platform represents a safe, effective, and clinically promising approach to the long-term management of obesity.
Authors 15
-
China Pharmaceutical University · National Medical Products Administration · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
China Pharmaceutical University
Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Cosmetics
RWTH Aachen University
State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy
-
China Pharmaceutical University · National Medical Products Administration · State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine
Affiliation as printed
China Pharmaceutical University
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Cosmetics
State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy
-
China Pharmaceutical University · National Medical Products Administration · State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine
Affiliation as printed
China Pharmaceutical University
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Cosmetics
State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy
-
China Pharmaceutical University · National Medical Products Administration · State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine
Affiliation as printed
China Pharmaceutical University
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Cosmetics
State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy
-
Affiliation as printed
Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES)
University of Bonn
-
University of Bonn · University Hospital Bonn
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
University Hospital, University of Bonn
-
University of Bonn · University Hospital Bonn
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
University Hospital, University of Bonn
-
China Pharmaceutical University · National Medical Products Administration · State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine
Affiliation as printed
China Pharmaceutical University
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Cosmetics
State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy
-
Technische Universität Dresden
Affiliation as printed
Centre for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research
TU Dresden
-
Chemnitz University of Technology
Affiliation as printed
Research Center for Materials, Architectures, and Integration of Nanomembranes (Main)
TU Chemnitz
-
China Pharmaceutical University · National Medical Products Administration · State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine
Affiliation as printed
China Pharmaceutical University
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Cosmetics
State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy
-
China Pharmaceutical University · National Medical Products Administration · State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine
Affiliation as printed
China Pharmaceutical University
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Cosmetics
State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy
-
Tongtong Wang corresponding
University of Bonn · University Hospital Bonn
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
University Hospital, University of Bonn
-
Jing Shang corresponding
China Pharmaceutical University · National Medical Products Administration
Affiliation as printed
China Pharmaceutical University
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Cosmetics
School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy
-
Wei Wang corresponding
China Pharmaceutical University · National Medical Products Administration · State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine
Affiliation as printed
China Pharmaceutical University
NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Cosmetics
State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy
Cited by 6 stored of 6
6 results
No patents citing this paper on Lens.org (checked 2026-10-06).