Camptothecin (CPT), a natural alkaloid, possesses potent anticancer activity. However, its application was terminated due to its low bioavailability and high toxicity. This work evaluated the potential of deoxycholic acid-CPT conjugate (G2) to improve the oral absorption of CPT. Deoxycholic acid significantly reduced cytotoxicity and inhibited the uptake of G2, in vitro. And G2 showed sodium-dependent uptake. In addition, in vivo study in rats indicated that the oral bioavailability of G2 was 2.06-fold higher than that of CPT. The present study suggested that using bile acid as the conjugated moiety is a hopeful strategy to improve the oral bioavailability of CPT.
Keywords: bioavailability; camptothecin; conjugate; cytotoxicity; deoxycholic acid; uptake.