BCLC Ergothioneine–Curcumin–Piperine Core–Shell Nanolipid Carrier for Synchronized Release, Improved Stability, and Translational Antioxidant–Anti-Inflammatory Synergy

Abstract

We developed BCLC as a core–shell nanolipid carrier to organize three physicochemically mismatched yet mechanistically complementary actives—ergothioneine (EGT), curcumin, and piperine—within a single delivery architecture. We positioned curcumin in a hydrophobic lipid core, enriched piperine at the interfacial layer, and anchored EGT on a hydrophilic shell, then evaluated particle characteristics, encapsulation efficiency, release behavior, and long-term stability across disclosed embodiments and comparators. The lead embodiment achieved a particle size of 32.6 nm, PDI 0.087, zeta potential −41.2 mV, and encapsulation efficiencies of 96.8%, 95.3%, and 94.7% for EGT, curcumin, and piperine, respectively. At 24 h, cumulative release reached 76.3%, 74.1%, and 77.8%, indicating synchronized release of all three actives, whereas the physical-mixture comparator displayed burst release for EGT and piperine but poor curcumin liberation. After 12 months of storage, active retention remained above 93% in the lead embodiment but fell sharply in several comparators. To position these results within the broader literature, we reviewed representative peer-reviewed and official-source data showing that EGT is absorbed and well tolerated in humans, piperine markedly increases curcumin exposure in human volunteers, curcumin–piperine co-supplementation can improve oxidative-stress endpoints in randomized trials, and core–shell co-delivery systems improve protection and controlled release. Together, these findings support BCLC as a differentiated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory raw-material platform with strong formulation logic and translational potential.