Design and development of spirulina polysaccharide-loaded nanoemulsions with improved the antitumor effects of paclitaxel

Abstract

Aims: In this study, we prepared spirulina polysaccharides into spirulina polysaccharide-loaded nanoemulsions (SPS-NEs), and determined the antitumor effect of SPS-NEs, when combined with paclitaxel (PTX).

Methods: SPS-NEs were prepared by a phase transformation method. The Characterisation and stability of SPS-NEs was measured. The antitumor effect of SPS-NEs combined with PTX was determined by S180 cells or RAW 264.7 macrophages and S180 tumour-bearing mice.

Results: SPS-NEs were spherical and stable, the particle size of SPS-NEs was 84.6 ± 3.31 nm, PDI = 0.235 ± 0.02. PTX + SPS-NEs exhibited a much greater toxicity against RAW 264.7 cells than PTX. PTX + SPS-NEs increased the release of NO, IL-6 and TNF-α, and the expression of p-p65 NF-κB, p-I-κB, TLR4. In addition, PTX + SPS-NEs significantly inhibited tumour growth by 72.82% and increased the secretion of serum IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ.

Conclusions: SPS-NEs can regulate immunity through TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathways, which enhances the anti-tumour effect of PTX.

Keywords:

• Spirulina polysaccharide
• nanoemulsions
• paclitaxel
• tumour
• TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely acknowledge Susan P. C. Cole (Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics, Queen’s University Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, Canada) for the research design and writing assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The Special Project of International Scientific and Technological Cooperation in Guangzhou Development District [grant number 2017GH16].