Regulation of the encapsulation, protection, and controlled release properties of naringin by sodium alginate oxidized hydrogel as a steady-state delivery system

Introduction Addressing the application challenges of low oral bioavailability and poor chemical stability associated with the citrus flavonoid naringin, hydrogels featuring unique three-dimensional network structures have garnered significant attention in the field of bioactive compound delivery. Methods In this study, a natural polysaccharide hydrogel delivery system based on dynamic imine bonds was designed and constructed. By regulating the oxidation degree of oxidized sodium alginate (OSA), hydrogels with distinct pore sizes were engineered to achieve stable encapsulation and controlled release of naringin. Dynamic covalent crosslinking between the aldehyde groups on OSA chains and the amino groups of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) endowed the hydrogels with exceptional adaptability. Results Research indicates that increasing the oxidation state of OSA can form a denser cross-linked network, thereby significantly regulating the swelling behavior, biodegradation rate, and drug release kinetics of hydrogels. Among these, 6OSA-Hy exhibits the most ideal sustained-release properties, enabling continuous and controlled release of naringin in simulated environments. In vitro cell experiments confirmed that this delivery system exhibits excellent biocompatibility, and its released active components effectively promote cell migration, with the 6OSA-Hy group achieving a scratch closure rate of 43.5%. Discussion The above studies demonstrate that the hydrogel system developed in this research provides a sustained-release stabilization strategy for enhancing the delivery of bioactive compounds such as naringin. This approach holds potential for improving bioavailability and is expected to find applications in the development of functional foods and nutritional supplements.