An In Vivo Study for Targeted Delivery of Curcumin in Human Triple Negative Breast Carcinoma Cells Using Biocompatible PLGA Microspheres Conjugated with Folic Acid

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2019 Jul 1;19(7):3720-3733. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2019.16292.

Abstract

Among the different types of polymeric vehicles, (PLGA) is biodegradable and has emerged as promising tool for the delivery of cancer therapeutics. The salient features of PLGA micro carriers include prolonged circulation time, increased tumor localization and biodegradability and effectiveness of the therapeutics. We have synthesized PLGA microspheres where curcumin can be loaded and thereby increases its bioavailability. The cytotoxicity of curcumin (PLGA@CCM) microspheres was evaluated on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. They were found to induce apoptosis by perturbing the mitochondrial membrane potential. PLGA@CCM@FA induces apoptosis in human triple negative breast cancer cells by up-regulating Cleaved caspase-3 and down regutes p-AKT. The in-vivo study in BALB/C mice model exhibited more tumor regression in case of PLGA@CCM@FA microspheres. Our results suggests that these microspheres can be an effective vehicle for delivery of hydrophobic drugs to the folate over expressed cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Curcumin* / pharmacology
  • Drug Carriers / therapeutic use
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Folic Acid
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microspheres
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Folic Acid
  • Curcumin