Docosahexaenoic acid liposomes for targeting chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer: an in vitro assessment

Abstract

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and uncontrolled cell proliferation are common key features of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis and cancer. ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; also known as omega3 fatty acids or fish oil) have beneficial effects against inflammation upon dietary consumption. However, these effects cannot be fully exploited unless diets are enriched with high concentrations of fish oil supplements over long periods of time. Here, a nanomedicine-based approach is presented for delivering effective levels of PUFAs to inflammatory cells. Nanoparticles are internalized by immune cells, and hence can adequately deliver bioactive lipids into these target cells. The ω3 FA docosahexaenoic acid was formulated into liposomes (ω-liposomes), and evaluated for anti-inflammatory effects in different types of immune cells. ω-Liposomes strongly inhibited the release of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species from human neutrophils and murine macrophages, and also inhibited the production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and MCP1. Moreover, ω-liposomes inhibited tumor-cell proliferation when evaluated in FaDu head and neck squamous carcinoma and 4T1 breast cancer cells in in vitro cultures. We propose that ω-liposomes are a promising nanonutraceutical formulation for intravenous delivery of fish oil FAs, which may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory disorders and cancer.

Use of cilomilast-loaded phosphatiosomes to suppress neutrophilic inflammation for attenuating acute lung injury: the effect of nanovesicular surface charge

“…Phosphatiosomes showed a facile uptake to the liver. Most nanoparticles 10 – 300 nm in size are nonspecifically cleared by the reticuloendothelial system such as the liver and spleen [ 24 ].…”

<p>Nanomedicine-based formulations containing &omega;-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: potential application in cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases</p>

“…This hypothesis is particularly interesting, since p-Akt represents a biomarker associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer, and used to evaluate the activity of the tyrosine kinase receptor signaling, often deregulated in breast cancer carcinogenesis. 57,61 A possible future ω-3 PUFA-containing nano-based approach for breast cancer may be suggested on the basis of the above analyzed remarkable results, obtained by both Alaarg et al 58 Since ω-3 PUFAs are known to potentially act as an adjuvant therapy to strengthen the activity of conventional chemotherapeutics or targeted drugs in the therapy of breast cancer, 57,62 it would be remarkable to develop nanoliposomal structures that are able to deliver simultaneously both ω-3 PUFAs and drugs with previously acknowledged activity in breast cancer. This liposomal combined approach could also be experimented in the clinical setting, since some liposomes are known to be safe and have already been clinically approved.…”

Cancer Chemoprevention by Phytochemicals: Nature’s Healing Touch

“…These lipids, such as the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, have been observed to demonstrate potent anticancer properties against a variety of cancer types such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, glioblastomas, etc. [ 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 ]. The nanocapsules, comprising shells of bioactive lipids, are able to deliver drugs and other biologically sensitive molecules to specific cells or organs, thus enhancing the potency and cancer therapeutic potential [ 211 , 215 ].…”

“…[ 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 ]. The nanocapsules, comprising shells of bioactive lipids, are able to deliver drugs and other biologically sensitive molecules to specific cells or organs, thus enhancing the potency and cancer therapeutic potential [ 211 , 215 ]. This represents a promising area of novel nanoformulation where some progress has been made in recent years [ 216 , 217 ].…”