Lipoic acid

Bianchi E, et al. Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements, 2026.

Lipoic acid was employed as a sulfur-containing linker to immobilize auranofin-derived Au(I) pharmacophores onto crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) for drug delivery applications. Sulfated CNC was first functionalized with propargyl bromide to generate alkynyl-modified CNC, followed by coupling of lipoic acid through esterification between its carboxyl group and CNC hydroxyl groups, achieving a functionalization degree of 0.47 mmol/g. A glucose-based PEGylated selector was subsequently introduced via CuAAC click chemistry, forming a multifunctional nanocarrier. The disulfide bond of lipoic acid was reduced to expose thiol groups, enabling coordination with the [Et₃PAu]⁺ pharmacophore. Dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analyses confirmed controlled nanoparticle size (~291 nm) and improved dispersion stability. This study demonstrates lipoic acid as an effective chemical linker enabling thiol-mediated gold complex loading in nanocellulose-based drug delivery systems.

Mei D, et al. Colloid and Interface Science Communications, 2026, 70, 100866.

Lipoic acid was applied to fabricate a self-assembled polymer coating on collagen-alginate/chitosan (CA/CHACC) composite scaffolds for biomedical material modification. Collagen and alginate were first blended at a 2:1 ratio and infiltrated into CHACC scaffolds under vacuum, followed by collagen self-assembly at 37 °C for 24 h to form CA/CHACC scaffolds. Lipoic acid and sodium thioctate solutions (1.5 M) were prepared separately in water and ethanol, mixed in equal volumes, and dropwise applied onto the scaffold surface. Vacuum-assisted infiltration ensured uniform penetration, while incubation at 37 °C triggered lipoic acid self-assembly into a polymerized coating. The modified La/CA/CHACC scaffolds were dried and stored for further evaluation. This method highlights lipoic acid as a self-assembling functional modifier for scaffold surface engineering and polymer coating formation in biomaterial systems.

Dien EEE, et al. Tissue and Cell, 2026, 101, 103459.

Lipoic acid was experimentally evaluated for its neuroprotective efficacy against multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-induced neurotoxicity in male albino rats. The study employed a controlled in vivo design with four treatment groups: control (1% Tween-80), lipoic acid (200 mg/kg for 10 days), MWCNTs (0.5 mg/kg for 5 days), and MWCNTs followed by lipoic acid treatment. Behavioral tests were conducted 24 h after the final administration, followed by brain tissue collection for biochemical, molecular, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Gene expression of acetylcholinesterase, inflammatory markers (COX-2), apoptotic marker caspase-3, and GFAP were quantified, while neuronal morphology was assessed histologically. Lipoic acid treatment significantly reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, demonstrating its experimental application as a neuroprotective antioxidant agent in nanomaterial-induced neurotoxicity models.

Kaplan Ö, et al. Carbohydrate Research, 2026, 562, 109837.

Lipoic acid was applied as a functional modifier in the synthesis of a bioactive chitosan-based polymer (ChiLipo-Ser) through a two-step EDC/NHS-mediated conjugation strategy. Low-molecular-weight chitosan was first dissolved in 1% acetic acid (pH 4.5), followed by dropwise addition of carboxyl-activated lipoic acid (0.25 mol per glucosamine unit) under magnetic stirring for 24 h at room temperature to form lipoic acid-modified chitosan. Subsequently, activated L-serine was introduced using the same coupling chemistry to achieve sequential functionalization. The final polymer was purified via 12-14 kDa dialysis for 48 h and lyophilized for storage at 4 °C. This experimental approach demonstrates the utility of lipoic acid as a reactive carboxyl-containing linker enabling covalent modification of chitosan, enhancing polymer functionality for potential biomedical and drug delivery applications.