Human serum albumin nanoparticles as an efficient noscapine drug delivery system for potential use in breast cancer: preparation and in vitro analysis

Abstract

Drug delivery systems such as nanoparticles can provide enhanced efficacy for anticancer agents. Noscapine, a widely used cough suppressant for decades has recently been shown to cause significant inhibition and regression of tumor volumes without any detectable toxicity in cells or tissues. Nanoparticles made of human serum albumin (HSA) represent promising strategy for targeted drug delivery to tumor cells by enhancing the drug’s bioavailability and distribution, and reducing the body’s response towards drug resistance. In the present study, we report for the first time the incorporation and delivery of noscapine-loaded HSA nanoparticles to tumor cells. The nanoparticles were designed and optimized to achieve a particle size in the range of 150–300 nm with a drug-loading efficiency of 85%–96%. The nanoparticles were evaluated in vitro for their anticancer activity and efficacy on breast cancer cells.

Keywords:

• HSA
• encapsulation
• microcapsule
• nanomedicine
• nanotechnology
• tumor volumes

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CHIR) MOP-86722 Research Grants to Dr Prakash. We also acknowledge Dr Maryam Tabrizian and Dr David Juncker for the use of their facilities. S Sebak acknowledges financial support from McGill University and a CGSM Scholarship from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canada. M Malhotra acknowledges the McGill Faculty of Medicine for Internal Medicine Studentship. A Kulamarva acknowledges a CGSD Scholarship NSERC, Canada. The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by Ms Line Mongeon, McGill University, Canada for her assistance with the SEM studies.