Influence of Different Ratios of DSPE-PEG2k on Ester Prodrug Self-Assembly Nanoparticles for Cell Migration and Proliferation Suppression

Abstract

Huiyun Zhang,1 Shunru Wei,1 Yunfei Hu,1 Yu Zhang,1 Hao Yao,1 Gang Qi,1 Michael Adu-Frimpong,2 Congyong Sun3 1Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, Jiangsu, 224003, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, UK-0215-5321, Ghana; 3Department of Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People’s Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, 223300, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Michael Adu-Frimpong; Congyong Sun, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Bufalin (BFL, an active anti-tumor compound derived from toad venom) is limited in its application due to high toxicity and rapid metabolism of the cardiotonic steroid. Ester prodrug self-assembly nanoparticles have shown significant improved effects in addressing the above-mentioned issues.Methods: An ester bond was formed between linoleic acid and bufalin to synthesize linoleic acid-bufalin prodrug (LeB). The self-assembly nanoparticles (LeB-PSNs) containing different mass ratios of DSPE-PEG2k and prodrug (6:4, 7:3, 8:2, 9:1 and 10:0) were prepared via co-precipitation method and defined as 6:4-PSNs, 7:3-PSNs, 8:2-PSNs, 9:1-PSNs and LeB-PSNs, respectively. Further, the characterization (particle size, zeta potential, surface morphology and stability) of the nanoparticles was carried out. Finally, we evaluated the impact of different ratios of DSPE-PEG2k on the hydrolysis rate, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, cell migration and proliferation suppression potential of the prodrug nanoparticles.Results: The linoleic acid-bufalin prodrug (LeB) was successfully synthesized. Upon the addition of DSPE-PEG2k at different weight ratios, both particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) significantly decreased, while the zeta potential increased remarkably. No significant differences in particle size, PDI and Zeta potential were observed among the 9:1, 8:2 and 7:3 PSNs. Notably, the 8:2 (w/w) DSPE-PEG2k nanoparticles exhibited superior stability, hydrolysis and cellular uptake rates, along with efficient cell cytotoxicity, cell migration and proliferation suppression.Conclusion: These findings indicate that DSPE-PEG2k could improve the performance of BFL prodrug nanoparticles, namely enhancing stability and achieving adaptive drug release by modulating the hydrolysis rate of esterase. This study therefore provides more opportunities for the development of BFL application. Keywords: bufalin, prodrug nanoparticles, DSPE-PEG2k, esterase hydrolysis rate

Keywords

• bufalin
• prodrug nanoparticles
• dspe-peg2k
• esterase hydrolysis rate