Enhanced anticancer activity and endocytic mechanisms by polymeric nanocarriers of n-butylidenephthalide in leukemia cells.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antitumor mechanisms of n-butylidenephthalide (BP) and to further examine the delivery efficacy of polycationic liposome containing PEI and polyethylene glycol complex (LPPC)-encapsulated BP in leukemia cells.

METHODS:

MTS, flow cytometric and TUNEL assays were performed to assess cell viability and apoptosis. BP and BP/LPPC complex delivery efficiency was analyzed by full-wavelength fluorescent scanner and fluorescence microscope. The expressions of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related proteins were conducted by Western blotting.

RESULTS:

The results showed that BP inhibited leukemia cell growth by inducing cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. LPPC-encapsulated BP rapidly induced endocytic pathway activation, resulting in the internalization of BP into leukemia cells, causing cell apoptosis within 1 h.

CONCLUSIONS:

LPPC encapsulation enhanced the cytotoxic activity of BP and did not influence the effects of BP induction that suggested LPPC-encapsulated BP might be developed as anti-leukemia drugs in future.

• Authors: X-F Huang, P-T Chen, Y-L Lin, M-S Lee, K-F Chang, K-W Liao, G-T Sheu, M-C Hsieh, N-M Tsai
• Journal: Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico (Clin Transl Oncol) Vol. 23 Issue 6 Pg. 1142-1151 (Jun 2021) ISSN: 1699-3055 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 32989675 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Drug Carriers
• Liposomes
• Phthalic Anhydrides
• Polyelectrolytes
• polycations
• butylidenephthalide

Topics

• Apoptosis
• Cell Survival
• Drug Carriers
• Endocytosis
• Humans
• Leukemia (drug therapy)
• Liposomes
• Nanotechnology
• Phthalic Anhydrides (administration & dosage)
• Polyelectrolytes
• Tumor Cells, Cultured