Affiliation:
1. School of Life Science, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of
China
Abstract
Background:
Using targeted liposomes to encapsulate and deliver drugs has become a
hotspot in biomedical research. Folated Pluronic F87/D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate
(TPGS) co-modified liposomes (FA-F87/TPGS-Lps) were fabricated for curcumin delivery, and
intracellular targeting of liposomal curcumin was investigated.
Methods:
FA-F87 was synthesized and its structural characterization was conducted through dehydration
condensation. Then, cur-FA-F87/TPGS-Lps were prepared via thin film dispersion method combined
with DHPM technique, and their physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity were determined.
Finally, the intracellular distribution of cur-FA-F87/TPGS-Lps was investigated using MCF-7 cells.
Results:
Incorporation of TPGS in liposomes reduced their particle size, but increased the negative
charge of the liposomes as well as their storage stability, and the encapsulation efficiency of curcumin
was improved. While, modification of liposomes with FA increased their particle size, and had no impact
on the encapsulation efficiency of curcumin in liposomes. Among all the liposomes (cur-F87-Lps,
cur-FA-F87-Lps, cur-FA-F87/TPGS-Lps and cur-F87/TPGS-Lps), cur-FA-F87/TPGS-Lps showed
highest cytotoxicity to MCF-7 cells. Moreover, cur-FA-F87/TPGS-Lps was found to deliver curcumin
into the cytoplasm of MCF-7 cells.
Conclusion:
Folate-Pluronic F87/TPGS co-modified liposomes provide a novel strategy for drug loading
and targeted delivery.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province
Doctoral Scientific Research Foundation of Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University
Graduate Innovation Special Fund of Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.