Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for sustained release of allyl isothiocyanate: characterization, in vitro release and biological activity

Abstract

The objective of this study is to establish the ability of entrap allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) into polymeric nanoparticles to extend its shelf life and enhance its antiproliferative properties. Natural compounds, such as AITC, have showed multi-targeting activity resulting in a wide-range spectrum of therapeutic properties in chronic and degenerative diseases, conversely with most current pharmaceutical drugs showing single targeting activity and often result in drug resistance after extended administration periods. Apparently, AITC-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) reduced AITC degradation and volatility and were able to extend AITC shelf life compared with free AITC (65% vs. 20% in 24 h, respectively). Cell viability and uptake of AITC-loaded nanoparticles were studied in vitro, showing that the protection and sustained release of AITC from polymeric NPs involved a larger toxicity of tumoral cells. These nanoparticles could be used as protective systems for enhancing a biological activity.

Keywords:

• Allyl isothiocyanate
• stability
• PLGA
• nanoparticles
• cytotoxicity

Acknowledgements

We thank the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT; México) for financial support through projects 236185 D. Encinas-Basurto thanks CONACyT for his PhD scholarship. The authors thank Prof. María del Carmen Barciela and Prof. Pilar Bermejo for ESI experiments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

We thank the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT; México) for financial support through projects 236185. D. Encinas-Basurto thanks CONACyT for his PhD scholarship. The authors thank Prof. María del Carmen Barciela and Prof. Pilar Bermejo for ESI experiments.