Ferritin and Ferritin-Ascorbic Acid Nanoparticles from Tegillarca granosa: an In Vitro Simulated Digestion/Caco-2 Cell Culture Model for Bioavailability Assessment and Effect on Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Rats.

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most prevalent nutritional disorder worldwide. In this study, ferritin from Tegillarca granosa and its ascorbic acid nanoparticle formulation were evaluated for iron bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy in IDA rats. The results of FTIR and Circular Dichroism|Circular dichrosim spectroscopy analyses indicated that FANs exhibited increased iron-binding sites and a more disordered secondary structure, potentially enhancing the iron release. Ferritin and FANs exhibited a stable and sustained iron release profile with a higher total iron release rate compared with FeSO4. Moreover, FANs showed enhanced cellular uptake and bioavailability, potentially due to their nanoscale characteristics and specific endocytosis-mediated uptake pathway. Both ferritin and FANs significantly improved hematological and biochemical parameters and normalized organ indices and ameliorated organ damage in rats. Upregulation of intestinal DMT1, Dcytb, and FPN suggested enhanced iron absorption and export into circulation. These findings demonstrated that ferritin and FANs effectively alleviated IDA, with FANs offering greater therapeutic potential.