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ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were to design the formulation of curcumin (CUR) liposomes coated with N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC) and to evaluate in vitro release characteristics and in vivo pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of TMC-coated CUR liposomes in rats. The structure of synthesized TMC was examined by infrared spectroscopy, with the presence of trimethyl groups, and by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, indicating the high degree of substitution quaternization (65.6%). Liposomes, composed of soybean phosphotidylcholine, cholestrol, and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, were prepared by a thin-film dispersion method. Characteristics of the CUR liposomes, including entrapment efficiency (86.67%), drug-loading efficiency (2.33%), morphology, particle size (221.4 nm for uncoated liposomes and 657.7 nm for TMC-coated liposomes), and zeta potential (-9.63 mV for uncoated liposomes and +15.64 mV for TMC-coated liposomes) were investigated. Uncoated CUR liposomes and TMC-coated CUR liposomes showed a similar in vitro release profile. Nearly 50% of CUR was released from liposomes, whereas 80% of CUR was released from CUR propylene glycol solution. CUR incorporated into TMC-coated liposomes exhibited different pharmacokinetic parameters and enhanced bioavailability (C(max) = 46.13 μg/L, t(1/2) = 12.05 hours, AUC = 416.58 μg/L·h), compared with CUR encapsulated by uncoated liposomes (C(max) = 32.12 μg/L, t(1/2) = 9.79 hours, AUC = 263.77 μg/L·h) and CUR suspension (C(max) = 35.46 μg/L, t(1/2) = 3.85 hours, AUC = 244.77 μg/L·h). In conclusion, oral delivery of coated CUR liposomes is a promising strategy for poorly water-soluble CUR.
Journal of Liposome Research 10/2011; 22(2):100-9. · 1.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) loading with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was prepared by ionic gelatin process of chitosan (CS) and sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) and the preparation process was optimized by a central composite design (CCD). Encapsulation efficiency (96.98%), loading efficiency (30.76%), average diameter (814 nm) and zeta potential (+0.86 mV) were achieved for the optimal nanoparticle (NP) formulation, and the release behavior of drug from CSNPs in vitro fitted Weibull kinetics model. The relative bioavailability of oral administration in rats of LMWH loaded CSNPs to LMWH solution was 517%. The results showed that CCD may well predict desired in vitro characterization of LMWH CSNPs, and CSNPs can significantly enhance the oral absorption of LMWH in rats.
Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology 10/2011; 7(5):696-703. · 4.22 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Folate polyethylene glycol-cholesterol hemisuccinate (folate-PEG-CHEMS) is a novel folate ligand firstly synthesized by our group and demonstrated good stability and potential targeting results on KB cells in vitro. The current study further explored endocytosis mechanisms of liposomes via folate receptor on L1210JF cells and assessed targeted therapeutic efficacy of folate-PEG-CHEMS anchored liposomes loading daunorubicin (F-L-DNR) in vivo. Folate-PEG-CHEMS was synthesized by a modified method. The liposome properties, cell cytotoxicity, intracellular and intratumoral localization, and therapeutic efficacy on a murine tumor model bearing L1210JF cells were evaluated. High encapsulation efficiency (95.1%±1.5%) and appropriate particle size (76.0±35.5nm) and zeta potential (-12.83±1.36mV) were achieved for F-L-DNR. IC(50) of F-L-DNR on L1210JF cells was 2-3-folds lower than that of non-targeted liposomal daunorubicin (L-DNR). Anticancer efficacy on L1210JF tumor model indicated that mice survival time of F-L-DNR group at doses of 5mg/kg and 10mg/kg was significantly longer than that of L-DNR or free DNR. Confocal fluorescence photographs of F-L-DNR indicated enhanced endocytosis of liposomes via folate receptor on L1210JF cells, prolonged retaining time in tumors and improved drug release in the tumor site at 24h post intravenous injection of F-L-DNR. In conclusion, folate-PEG-CHEMS is an effective ligand for folate-targeted daunorubicin liposomes to achieve increased drug release in tumor and therapeutic efficacy.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie 02/2011; 65(1):2-8. · 2.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Drug release from liposomes in the endosome-lysosomal organelles into cytoplasm is critical to cytotoxicity and anticancer effects. Chloroquine is a lysosomotropic agent that has been reported to enhance in vitro cytotoxicity of basic anticancer drugs. To investigate the mechanism of chloroquine triggering basic anticancer drugs release from liposomes and the potential to treat solid tumors in clinic, daunorubicin was loaded into folate-targeted liposomes by ammonium sulfate remote loading method. In vitro triggered release profiles showed that chloroquine can instantly expel about 11% daunorubicin out of liposomes. In vitro cytotoxicity of folate-targeted liposomal daunorubicin on L1210JF(FR+) was enhanced by chloroquine, which was further confirmed by confocal micrographs. Intraliposomal pH was increased by adding chloroquine into 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt (HPTS) liposomes with ammonium sulfate gradient, but was not higher than 5.5. Ion exchange and pH rising are the most plausible mechanisms of chloroquine triggering daunorubicin release from liposomes. In vivo anticancer effects on a murine solid tumor model with L1210JF indicated that chloroquine induced daunorubicin release from liposomes as well. Overall, these results support the potential application of chloroquine to trigger the release of liposomal drugs and ultimately to improve the therapeutic efficacy.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 12/2010; 99(12):5011-8. · 3.06 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Our previous data demonstrated that folate receptor β (FR-β) targeted liposomal doxorubicin (FT-L-DOX) showed enhanced cytotoxicity relative to non-targeted liposomal doxorubicin (CON-L-DOX), and the effect was enhanced by selective FR-β upregulation by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in AML blast cells. In this study, the enhanced cytotoxicity was investigated in the proliferating human AML clonogenic cells by combining FT-L-DOX with ATRA. Also, pharmacokinetic properties by pretreatment of ATRA were evaluated using FR-targeted liposomal calcein (FT-L-Calcein). Pharmacokinetic study showed that the area under the concentration curve (AUC) of FT-L-Calcein was decreased and total clearance was increased by pretreatment with ATRA. Meanwhile, the volume of distribution was significantly increased by pretreatment of ATRA. Moreover, calcein level in the liver, spleen and kidney was increased following intravenous administration of FT-L-Calcein by pretreatment of ATRA. In vitro cytotoxicity of FT-L-DOX was higher than that of CON-L-DOX and was increased by pretreatment with ATRA. Colony formation in AML cells was lower due to treatment with FT-L-DOX compared with CON-L-DOX and colony formation further decreased upon pretreatment with ATRA. Moreover, FT-L-DOX was more toxic to AML clonogenic cells than to AML blast cells. The results demonstrate that the efficiency of FR-mediated targeting of FT-L-DOX was preferentially enhanced by ATRA induced FR-β upregulation in AML clonogenic cells.
International journal of pharmaceutics 09/2010; 402(1-2):57-63. · 2.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Transferrin receptor (TfR) is frequently over-expressed on epithelial cancer cells, TfR-targeted liposomes, therefore, can potentially improve tumor cell uptake, cytotoxicity, and treatment efficacy of the encapsulated drug. The liposomes loaded with docetaxel were prepared by polycarbonate membrane extrusion with the composition of hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC)/egg phosphatidylcholine (PC)/cholesterol (Chol)/methoxy-polyethylene glycol (mPEG)2,000-distearoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) (HSPC/ePC/Chol/mPEG-DSPE) at the ratio of (10:75:10:5, mol/mol) and a drug-to-lipid ratio of 1:20, wt/wt. TfR-targeted liposomes were obtained by a post-insertion method with the ratio of Tf to phospholipid at 1:400 (mol/mol) and then lyophilized with sucrose as a lyoprotectant. TfR-liposomes exhibited enhanced stability for more than 6 months when stored as lyophilized cake. TfR-targeted liposomes of the same lipid composition entrapping calcein showed efficient uptake by K562 cells, which were TfR+. In vitro study of TfR-targeted liposomes containing docetaxel showed 3.6-fold greater cytotoxicity compared to non-targeted control liposomes in KB cells. Compared to docetaxel in Tween 80/ethanol formulation, the liposomal formulations showed much longer terminal half lives (6.37 h and 7.33 h for TfR-targeted and non-targeted, respectively). In conclusion, TfR-targeted liposomes might be a promising targeting delivery vehicle for TfR+ cancers and warrant further investigation.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 08/2010; 10(8):5129-36. · 1.56 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Folate receptor-alpha (FR) is a promising cellular marker for tumor-specific drug delivery. Conjugation of folic acid to therapeutic and imaging agents has been shown to enhance their delivery to FR (+) cancer cells in vitro and in tumor-bearing mice via an FR-mediated cellular uptake mechanism. In this study, immunoglobulin G (IgG) was conjugated to folate and evaluated as a therapeutic antibody against folate receptor (FR)-positive tumors. Murine IgG (mIgG) was conjugated to folate via an amide bond to yield folate-conjugated mIgG (f-mIgG) that contained an average of approximately 2.6 folates per molecule. Selective uptake of f-IgG by FR (+) tumor cells was determined by fluorescence microscopy and by flow cytometry. Lysis of L1210JF cells by NK cells from murine donors was increased 1.4-9.0-fold at the effector:target (E:T) ratio of 25:1, relative to control mIgG. In mice bearing L1210JF tumors, f-mIgG was found to significantly inhibit tumor growth and to have prolonged the median survival time (MeST). Significantly, the antitumor efficacy of f-mIgG was greatly increased when combined with liposomal G3139, an 18-mer phosphorothioate oligonucleotide. In fact, the combination resulted in a 100% cure rate among the tumor-bearing mice. Injection of f-mIgG significantly increased serum INF-gamma and IL-6 level in mice compared with mIgG and dramatically increased serum INF-gamma and IL-6 level when combined with liposomal G3139. These results suggested that f-IgG, a novel immunotherapy agent, has potent activity as a therapeutic antibody to the FR-positive cancer, and the therapeutic activity is enhanced by immunomodulatory agents.
Bioconjugate Chemistry 05/2010; 21(5):961-8. · 4.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A novel liposomal formulation of docetaxel targeting the folate receptor (FR) was synthesized and characterized. Liposomal formulations are less toxic and can provide longer systemic circulation time than the Tween 80 and ethanol based clinical formulation of docetaxel. Folate receptor-alpha (FR) is frequently over-expressed on epithelial cancer cells. Therefore, FR targeted liposomes can potentially enhance tumor cell uptake and antitumor efficacy of encapsulated drugs. The formulation studied had the compositions of egg phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol/methoxy-polyethylene glycol (PEG)2,000-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine/folate-PEG3,350-cholesteryl hemisuccinate (ePC/Chol/mPEG-DSPE/folate-PEG-CHEMS) at ratios of (80:15:4.5:0.5, mol/mol) and a drug-to-lipid ratio of 1:20, wt/wt. Sucrose was used as a lyoprotectant. The liposomes were prepared by thin-film hydration, polycarbonate membrane extrusion, followed by lyophilization. They remained stable for more than 5 months when stored as lyophilized powder and for 72 h at 4 degrees C following rehydration. The mean particle size of reconstituted liposomes ranged from 110 to 120 nm. FR-targeted liposomes of the same lipid composition entrapping calcein were shown to be efficiently taken up by FR + KB oral carcinoma cells. FR-targeted liposomes containing docetaxel showed 4.4-fold greater cytotoxicity compared to non-targeted liposomes in KB cells. Plasma clearance profiles of FR-targeted and non-targeted liposomeal docetaxel were evaluated and compared with that of docetaxel in Tween 80/ethanol formulation. The liposomal formulations showed much longer terminal half lives (4.92 h and 6.75 h for FR-targeted and non-targeted, respectively) than docetaxel in Tween 80/ethanol solution (1.09 h). FR-targeted liposomes are promising tumor cell-selective nanocarriers for docetaxel with potential for therapeutic applications.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 04/2009; 9(3):2155-61. · 1.56 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential application of microemulsions as a dermal drug delivery loading penciclovir. The pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were developed for various microemulsion formulations composed of oleic acid (oil phase), Cremorphor EL (surfactant) and ethanol (cosurfactant). Composition of microemulsion systems was optimized using simplex lattice mixture design including the concentrations of surfactant, cosurfactant and water (independent variables) and the solubility and the cumulative amount of penciclovir permeated through excised mouse skins per unit area (response variables). The physicochemical properties of the optimized microemulsion and the permeating ability of penciclovir from microemulsions were also investigated. The results showed that the optimized microemusion formulation was composed of oleic acid (5%, w/w), Cremorphor EL (20%, w/w), ethanol (30%, w/w) and water (45%, w/w). The mean particle diameter was 36.5nm and solubility of penciclovir in the emulsion was 7.41 mg g(-1). The cumulative amount of penciclovir permeated through excised mouse skins from microemulsion was about 3.5 times that of the commercial cream. The conclusion was that the permeating ability of penciclovir was significantly increased from the microemulsion formulation compared with commercial cream.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics 09/2008; 360(1-2):184-90. · 3.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Folate receptors (FRs) have been identified as cellular surface markers for cancer and leukemia. Liposomes containing lipophilic derivatives of folate have been shown to effectively target FR-expressing cells. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel lipophilic folate derivative, folate-polyethylene glycol-cholesterol hemisuccinate (F-PEG-CHEMS), and its evaluation as a targeting ligand for liposomal doxorubicin (L-DOX) in FR-expressing cells. Liposomes containing F-PEG-CHEMS, with a mean diameter of 120+/-20 nm, were synthesized by polycarbonate membrane extrusion and were shown to have excellent colloidal stability. The liposomes were taken up selectively by KB cells, which overexpress FR-alpha. Compared to folate-PEG-cholesterol (F-PEG-Chol), which contains a carbamate linkage, F-PEG-CHEMS better retained its FR-targeting activity during prolonged storage. In addition, F-PEG-CHEMS containing liposomes loaded with DOX (F-L-DOX) showed greater cytotoxicity (IC(50)=10.0muM) than non-targeted control L-DOX (IC(50)=57.5 microM) in KB cells. In ICR mice, both targeted and non-targeted liposomes exhibited long circulation properties, although F-L-DOX (t(1/2)=12.34 h) showed more rapid plasma clearance than L-DOX (t(1/2)=17.10h). These results suggest that F-PEG-CHEMS is effective as a novel ligand for the synthesis of FR-targeted liposomes.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics 06/2008; 356(1-2):29-36. · 3.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tumor vessel has been recognized as an important target for anticancer therapy. Cationic liposomes have been shown to selectively target tumor endothelial cells, thus can potentially be used as a carrier for chemotherapy agents. In this study, cationic liposomes containing 20 mol% cationic lipid dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DDAB) and loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) were prepared and characterized. The cationic liposomal DOX showed 10.8 and 9.1 times greater cytotoxicity than control PEGylated liposomal DOX in KB oral carcinoma and L1210 murine lymphocytic leukemia cells, and 7.7- and 6.8-fold greater cytotoxicity compared to control neutral non-PEGylated liposomal DOX, repectively, in these two cell lines. Although cationic liposomal DOX had higher tumor accumulation at 30 min after intravenous administration compared to control liposomes (p<0.05), DOX uptake of these liposomes at 24h post-injection was similar to that of PEGylated liposomal DOX (p>0.05) and approximately twice the levels of the free drug and non-PEGylated liposomes. In a murine tumor model generated using L1210 cells, increased survival rate was obtained with cationic liposomal DOX treatment compared to free DOX (p<0.01), neutral liposome control (p<0.01), as well as PEGylated liposomes (p<0.05). In conclusion, the cationic liposomal DOX formulation produced superior in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity, and warrants further investigation.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics 06/2007; 337(1-2):329-35. · 3.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Liposomes co-encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) and verapamil (VER), and conjugated to transferrin (Tf-L-DOX/VER) were synthesized and evaluated in K562 leukemia cells. The design of this formulation was aimed at selective targeting of tumor cells, reducing cardiotoxicity of DOX and VER, as well as overcoming P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype.
The liposomes were prepared by polycarbonate membrane extrusion, followed by pH-gradient driven remote loading and Tf conjugation. Kinetics of in vitro release of DOX and VER from liposomes was determined by measuring changes in the concentration of encapsulated drugs. Uptake of Tf-conjugated liposomes by K562 cells was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and by fluorometry. Cytotoxicities of various formulations of DOX were determined by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolum bromide (MTT) assay.
Efficiencies for liposomal loading of DOX and VER were 95% and 70%, respectively. The mean particle diameter for the liposomes was approximately 110nm. Rates of release for DOX and VER were similar in singly-loaded and co-loaded liposomes. Tf-L-DOX/VER showed efficient uptake by the TfR+ K562 cells. In DOX-resistant K562 cells (K562/DOX), Tf-L-DOX/VER showed 5.2 and 2.8 times greater cytotoxicity (IC50 = 4.18 muM) than non-targeted liposomes (L-DOX/VER) (IC50 = 21.7 muM) and Tf-targeted liposomes loaded with DOX alone (Tf-L-DOX) (IC50 = 11.5 muM), respectively.
The combination of TfR targeting and co-encapsulation of DOX and VER was highly effective in overcoming drug resistance in K562 leukemia cells.
Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences: a publication of the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Societe canadienne des sciences pharmaceutiques 02/2007; 10(3):350-7. · 1.65 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A novel liposomal formulation of paclitaxel targeting the folate receptor (FR) was synthesized and characterized. This formulation was designed to overcome vehicle toxicity associated with the traditional Cremophor EL-based formulation and to provide the added advantages of prolonged systemic circulation time and selective targeting of the FR, which is frequently overexpressed on epithelial cancer cells. The formulation had the composition of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine/dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol/monomethoxy-polyethylene glycol (PEG)2000-distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine/folate-PEG3350-distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPC/DMPG/mPEG-DSPE/folate-PEG-DSPE) at molar ratios of (85.5:9.5:4.5:0.5) and a drug-to-lipid molar ratio of 1:33. The liposomes were prepared by polycarbonate membrane extrusion. The mean particle size of the liposomes was 97.1 nm and remained stable for at least 72 h at 4 degrees C. FR-targeted liposomes of the same lipid composition entrapping calcein were shown to be efficiently taken up by KB oral carcinoma cells, which are highly FR+. FR-targeted liposomes containing paclitaxel showed 3.8-fold greater cytotoxicity compared to non-targeted control liposomes in KB cells. Plasma clearance profiles of paclitaxel in the liposomal formulations were then compared to paclitaxel in Cremophor EL formulation. The liposomal formulations showed much longer terminal half-lives (12.33 and 14.23 h for FR-targeted and non-targeted liposomes, respectively) than paclitaxel in Cremophor EL (1.78 h). In conclusion, the paclitaxel formulation described in this study has substantial stability and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. The FR-targeted paclitaxel formulation is potentially useful for treatment of FR+ tumors and warrants further investigation.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics 07/2006; 316(1-2):148-53. · 3.35 Impact Factor
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Yanhui Lu, Jun Wu,
Jianmei Wu,
Mefsin Gonit,
Xiaojuan Yang,
Alice Lee,
Guangya Xiang,
Hong Li,
Shujun Liu,
Guido Marcucci,
Manohar Ratnam,
Robert J Lee
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ABSTRACT: Targeted drug delivery has the potential to improve the efficacy of a therapeutic agent while reducing its side effects. The folate receptor type beta (FR-beta) is a cell surface marker selectively expressed in the leukemic cells of approximately 70% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Upregulation of FR-beta may also be selectively induced in AML cells by treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). In this study, the role of formulation composition in FR-targeted liposomal doxorubicin (DOX) delivery to AML cells was investigated. Liposomal formulations with a variable percentage of folate-polyethylene glycol distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (f-PEG-DSPE) were synthesized and evaluated for FR-beta-targeted DOX delivery in MV4-11 AML cells in vitro and for their pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. The formulation containing 0.5 mol % f-PEG-DSPE exhibited the highest efficiency of cellular uptake and in vitro cytotoxicity, as well as a long systemic circulation time in mice. In MV4-11 cells, the binding and cytotoxicity of FR-targeted liposomal DOX based on this formulation was also enhanced by ATRA-induced FR-beta upregulation.
Molecular Pharmaceutics 4(5):707-12. · 4.78 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Gossypol has recently been identified as a potential anticancer agent. In this study, a novel liposomal formulation is evaluated for delivery of gossypol.
Gossypol was incorporated into liposomes. The liposomes were characterized for physical and chemical properties and for in vitro cytotoxicity.
Gossypol was stably encapsulated in these liposomes and exhibited cytotoxicity towards cancer cells.
Liposomes can be used effectively as gossypol carriers.
Anticancer research 28(5A):2801-5. · 1.73 Impact Factor
