Honokiol-loaded polymeric nanoparticles: an active targeting drug delivery system for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a novel drug delivery system for a sustained and targeted delivery of honokiol (HK) to the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) HNE-1 cell lines, since the folate receptor (FR) is over-expressed on their surface. Emulsion solvent evaporation was used to develop the active targeting nanoparticles-loaded HK (ATNH) using copolymerpoly (ɛ-caprolactone)-poly (ethyleneglycol)-poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCEC), which was modified with folate (FA) by introducing Polythylenimine (PEI). ATNH characterization, including particle size distribution, morphology, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and drug release, was performed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to evaluate the shape and construction, respectively. MTT assay, cell uptake study and apoptosis test were assayed to detect the antitumor properties and targeting uptake by HNE-1 cells in vitro. Cell-cycle redistribution, F-FDG PET/CT and immunohistochemistry were performed in vivo. The ATNH we developed were successfully synthesized and showed a suitable size distribution, high encapsulation efficiency, gradual release, and targeting uptake by the cells in vitro. Moreover, ATNH significantly inhibited tumor growth, metabolism, proliferation, micro-vessel generation, and caused cell-cycle arrest at G phase. Thus, these nanoparticles we developed might represent a novel formulation for HK delivery and a promising potential therapy in the treatment of cancer.

Polyethylenimine-based nanocarriers in co-delivery of drug and gene: a developing horizon

“…Tissue engineering [48–51], gene therapy [52,53], cancer treatment [54,55], chemotherapy [56,57] and medical applications [58–60] are the applications of PEI.…”

Honokiol: A Review of Its Anticancer Potential and Mechanisms

“…Many chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to induce severe systemic toxicity and several side effects due to their deficient pharmacokinetic profiles and non-specific distribution in the body [29]. In Yang et al's study [30], they have encapsulated honokiol into nanopolymers to enhance its permeability and specificity against cancer cells. They utilised the active targeting nanoparticles-loaded honokiol (ANTH) in their in vitro studies against human nasopharyngeal cancer HNE-1 cells, and this incorporation exhibited significantly lower IC 50 values compared to free honokiol treatment.…”

“…However, the actual mechanism of autophagy in cancer remains unclear. Several studies have highlighted the potential of honokiol to induce cell death via autophagy in human prostate cancer cells [77], human glioma cells [138], NSCLC cells [30], and human thyroid cancer cells [60].…”

In vitro and in vivo antitumor effect of gefitinib nanoparticles on human lung cancer

“…Because of its biodegradability, biocompatibility, amphiphilic and appropriate mechanical properties, it is widely used as carrier of many antitumor drugs (Yadav et al, 2010;Yang et al, 2017). The purpose of our study was to prepare GEF-loaded PCEC nanoparticles (GEF-NPs), evaluate its anti-tumor effect and its mechanism on human lung carcinoma in vitro and in vivo, especially considering the assessment of normal tissue toxicity.…”