Effects of silymarin-loaded amphiphilic chitosan polymeric micelles on the renal toxicity and anticancer activity of cisplatin

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of silymarin (SM)-loaded polymeric micelles (PMs) on the renal toxicity and anticancer activity of cisplatin. Amphiphilic chitosan derivatives were employed to develop SM-loaded PMs. The permeation across an intestinal membrane, cytotoxicity, and renal toxicity of cisplatin during the treatment were evaluated. The SM-loaded PMs had small particle sizes (326–336 nm), negative surface charge, high entrapment efficiency (47–70%), and demonstrated pH-sensitive release. Rapid drug release was obtained at pH 7.4 (81–87% in 4 h). The SM-loaded PMs exhibited higher flux than free SM. Moreover, the pretreatment of SM (50–100 μg/mL)-loaded PMs increased the killing efficacy of cisplatin on the cancer cells. The renoprotective effect was witnessed (p < 0.05) on the cells pretreated with SM-loaded benzyl-functionalized succinyl chitosan (BSC) PMs compared with those treated with only cisplatin, which the % cell viability increased from 29% to 82% and 96% for the PMs with SM concentration of 50 and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the reduction in cell apoptosis and necrosis induced by cisplatin has been observed. In conclusion, SM-loaded BSC PMs could improve the bioavailability of SM, enhance the therapeutic effect, and protect renal damage during the treatment with cisplatin.

Keywords:

• Polymeric micelles
• silymarin
• renoprotective effect
• cisplatin
• chitosan

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Thailand Research Funds through the Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program [Grant no. PHD/0139/2557] and through the Research Team Promotion Grant [RTA6180003], the Silpakorn University [SURDI610110] and the Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University.