Co-encapsulation of curcumin and tamoxifen in lipid-chitosan hybrid nanoparticles for cancer therapy

ABSTRACT

Background

Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNP) are used for drug delivery due to their high advantages over polymeric or lipid nanoparticles.

Materials and methods

Tamoxifen-Curcumin-loaded-LPHNPs (Tmx-Cu-LPHNPs) were synthetized by the ionic gelation method, and after characterization and calculation of the encapsulation efficiency, its antioxidant power, anti-cancer and anti-metastatic effects were examined.

Results

Tmx-Cu-LPHNPswith size of 232.12 nm, PDI: 0.22, ζ-p: 35.12 mV and encapsulation efficiencies92% and 74% for Cu and Tmx (respectively) inhibited cancer cells more strongly than normal cells.In addition, Tmx-Cu-LPHNPsinhibited ABTS (IC50: 998.125 μg/ml), DPPH (IC50:164.87 μg/ml) free radicals as well as reducing iron ions.Up regulation of P53 and Caspase-9, flow cytometry and AO/PI staining demonstrated proapoptotic effects of Tmx-Cu-LPHNPs. Suppression of metastasis in cancer cells confirmed by scratch assay and decreased expression of metalloproteinase (MMP-2, 9) genes.

Conclusion

Tmx-Cu-LPHNPs can be a promising factor in the treatment of cancer with appropriate therapeutic effects.

KEYWORDS:

• encapsulation
• Lipid-Chitosan Hybrid Nanoparticles
• curcumin
• cancer therapy

Acknowledgments

The authors greatly appreciate the support provided by the Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran, in the conducting of the present research.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

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

Additional information

Funding

The present work was funded by Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.