Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41301485›Full record

ReviewBiomolecules2025

The Effects of Counter-Ions on Peptide Structure, Activity, and Applications.

Ying Liu, Yi Huang, Lan Yang, Yu Gao, Zheng Jia, Tingting Liu, Baoling Su, Chuyuan Wang, Lili Jin, Dianbao Zhang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Biomolecules, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Enhanced encapsulation and membrane retention ofInternational journal of pharmaceutics: X · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Ying LiuSchool of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China.ORCID 0009-0009-5185-1474
Yi HuangDepartment of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
Lan YangDepartment of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
Yu GaoDepartment of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
Zheng JiaDepartment of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
Tingting LiuDepartment of Pharmacy, Liaoning Agricultural Technical College, Yingkou 115009, China.
Baoling SuCollege of Life Science and Bioengineering, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, China.
Chuyuan WangDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
Lili JinSchool of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China.
Dianbao ZhangDepartment of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.ORCID 0000-0001-7063-7742

Funding

Basic Research Foundation of the Educational Department of Liaoning Province JYTZD2023100Key Research Foundation of the Educational Department of Liaoning Province LJKZZ20220017National Natural Science Foundation of China 82473510 and 32171532Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province 2023JH2/20200141 and 2023-MSLH-304
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Peptide drug development has emerged as a prominent area in pharmaceutical research due to its high specificity and therapeutic potential. However, their biological activity, stability, and bioavailability are significantly influenced by interactions with counter-ions, which electrostatically bind to charged residues on peptide surfaces. This review systematically examines the multifaceted roles of counter-ions in modulating peptide structure and function. Counter-ions are classified into organic/inorganic and anionic/cationic categories, with their selection critically impacting peptide solubility, conformational stability, and activity. Inorganic counter-ions could enhance structural integrity, while organic counter-ions could mitigate toxicity risks. Notably, counter-ions can induce secondary structural transitions, directly affecting biological efficacy. Furthermore, counter-ions play pivotal roles in drug delivery systems, including nanoemulsions, self-emulsifying formulations, and lipid-based nanoparticles, where hydrophobic ion pairing improves encapsulation efficiency and oral bioavailability. In chromatography, ion-pairing reagents optimize peptide separation but may compromise mass spectrometry compatibility. Emerging analytical techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), enhance counter-ion detection precision, addressing challenges in pharmaceutical quality control. Despite advancements, gaps remain in understanding ion-specific binding mechanisms and long-term safety profiles. This review underscores the necessity of tailoring counter-ion selection to balance efficacy, stability, and biocompatibility. Future research should prioritize elucidating molecular interaction dynamics and developing safer, high-affinity counter-ions to overcome current limitations in peptide drug development.

Indexed as

IonsPeptidesAnimalsDrug Delivery SystemsHumansNanoparticlesIonsPeptidesbiological activitieschromatographycounter-ionspeptidepeptide delivery

Identifiers

PMID41301485
PMCPMC12650639

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.