Female-sensitive multifunctional phytoestrogen nanotherapeutics for tailored management of postmenopausal Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has much higher incidence and mortality in women, largely attributed to the dramatic decline in estrogen levels during menopause. Therefore, tailoring therapeutic strategies targeting estrogen deprivation is essential to achieve female-specific AD treatment. Herein, we developed a multifunctional phytoestrogen nanomodulator (LQ-LPs) and revealed its feasibility and key pharmacological mechanisms for female-sensitive AD management. Benefiting from the greatly improved bioavailability and pharmacokinetics by liposomes, LQ-LPs amplified multiple biological properties of loaded liquiritigenin against estrogen-deprived AD progression, including enhancing synaptoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects through activation of ERβ/BDNF/ERK signaling, as well as simultaneously inhibiting Ca2+ influx spike, oxidative damage, and cholinergic dysfunction caused by glutamate excitotoxicity. Taking advantage of the favorable brain-targeting properties conferred by intranasal delivery, LQ-LP administration exhibited remarkable anti-AD efficacy in reversing ovariectomy-induced neuropathology and rescuing cognitive deficits in estrogen-deprived AD mice. This work reveals for the first time the attractive promise of phytoestrogen-derived versatile nanotherapeutics for female-specific AD management, providing advanced insights into precision drug development for female AD.