Preliminary Study on Pharmacokinetics and Antitumor Pharmacodynamics of Folic Acid Modified Crebanine Polyethyleneglycol-Polylactic Acid Hydroxyacetic Acid Copolymer Nanoparticles

Abstract

Xin Cheng,1– 4,* Rui Pan,1,3– 5,* Junze Tang,1,4 Kun Yu,1,4 Hailiang Zhang,1,3– 5 Xiaoyu Zhao1,4 1College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China; 2The Key Laboratory of External Drug Delivery System and Preparation Technology in University of Yunnan Province, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China; 3Yunnan Key Laboratory of Dai and Yi Medicines, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China; 4Laboratory Animal Center, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China; 5College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xin Cheng, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Chenggong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: Liver cancer is associated significantly with morbidity and mortality. The combination of low-intensity ultrasound with nanomedicine delivery systems holds promise as an alternative for the treatment for liver cancer. This study focuses on the utilization of folic acid (FA) modified nanoparticles, which are loaded with fluorescent dye DiR and liquid fluorocarbon (PFP). These nanoparticles have the potential to enhance liver cancer targeting under ultrasound stimulation and future applications in vivo.Methods: The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of folic acid-modified Crebanine polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid copolymer nanoparticles (FA-Cre@PEG-PLGA NPs) were investigated. The pharmacokinetic parameters, liver targeting, and in vivo distribution were assessed. Additionally, the inhibitory impacts of FA-Cre@PEG-PLGA NPs in combination with ultrasonic irradiation on the proliferation and acute toxicity of H22 cells of mouse hepatoma were investigated in vitro. The tumor targeting and anti-tumor efficacy of FA-Cre@PEG-PLGA NPs were assessed utilizing a small animal in vivo imaging system and an in situ hepatocellular carcinoma transplantation model, respectively.Results: The pharmacokinetic studies and tissue distribution tests demonstrated that FA-Cre@PEG-PLGA NPs conspicuously prolonged the half-life and retention time of the drug in rats, and the liver targeting effect was pronounced. Additionally, the in vivo acute toxicity test indicated that FA-Cre@PEG-PLGA NPs had minimal adverse reactions and could fulfill the aim of attenuating the drug. The outcomes of the animal experiments further substantiated that FA-Cre@PEG-PLGA NPs had a longer retention time at the tumor site, a superior anti-tumor effect, and less damage to liver and kidney tissue.Conclusion: The integration of FA-Cre@PEG-PLGA NPs with ultrasound irradiation demonstrated exceptional safety and potent anti-tumor efficacy in vivo, presenting a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver cancer through the combination of ultrasound technology with a nanomedicine delivery system.Keywords: targeted drug delivery, pharmacokinetics, ultrasound irradiation, antitumor activity

Keywords

• targeted drug delivery
• pharmacokinetics
• ultrasound irradiation
• antitumor activity.