Liver targeting anti-tumor activity of pH-sensitive liposomes loaded with lactosyl-norcantharitin phospholipids complex / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the antitumor activity of pH-sensitive liposomes (pH-LPC-lips) loaded with lactosyl-norcantharitin (Lac-NCTD) phospholipids complex in vitro and in vivo, and the liver targeting in mice. Methods: Using blank liposomes (blank-lips and blank-pH-lips) as control, the MTT assay was used to study the cytotoxic effects of Lac-NCTD and its liposomes (Lac-lips and pH-LPC-lips) on human hepatoma carcinoma cells HepG2. HPLC assay was used to evaluate the uptake of Lac-NCTD and its liposomes in HepG2. In vivo antitumor activity of Lac-NCTD and its liposomes were evaluated in mice bearing H22 liver tumors. The hepatocyte specificity of near-infrared fluorescence dye (Cy7)-labeled pH-LPC-lips in H22 tumor-bearing mice was monitored through NIR fluorescence real-time tumor imaging instrument. Results: The pH-LPC-lips demonstrated stronger cytotoxicity against tumor cells HepG2 and easily permeated the cell membrane, compared with Lac-NCTD and Lac-lips. The results of antitumor activity in vivo showed that pH-LPC-lips displayed best tumor inhibitory effect. The optical imaging results indicated that Cy7-labeled pH-LPC-lips showed excellent hepatocyte specificity in H22 tumor-bearing mice, which could reduced the side effect, and increased the antitumor activity. Conclusion: The pH-LPC-lips could take the initiative to release at the tumor site and showed the liver-targeting. As a result, the preparation could be regarded as novel liver-targeting agent which has better antitumor effect.