ABSTRACT
Objective: To prepare Juglone-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (Jug-PLGA-NPs), and investigate their physicochemical properties, release characteristics in vitro and anti-tumor activities on A375 melanoma cells in vitro. Method: Jug-PLGA-NPs were prepared by emulsification-solvent evaporation method. Then the particle size, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading rate and in vitro release characteristics were investigated. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the uptake of PLGA-NPs in vitro. The distribution of PLGA-NPs in BALB/c nude mice after tail vein injection was observed by the small living animal imaging system. Their inhibition effect on proliferation of A375 cells was detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis rate and cell cycle detection were performed by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to determine the protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and cyclinD1. Result: The average particle size of the prepared Jug-PLGA-NPs was (149.6±21.5) nm, entrapment rate of (68.39±2.51)%, and drug-loading rate of (5.07±0.98)%, showing good sustained-release characteristics. PLGA-NPs showed good penetration and targeting properties in cellular uptake in vitro and in vivo imaging. Different concentrations of Jug-PLGA-NPs could significantly inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of A375 cells in a time and concentration dependent manner (P1 expression (P0/G1 phase (PConclusion: The Jug-PLGA-NPs are easy to prepare and have good sustained-release characteristics, tumor targeting and anti-tumor ability, providing a new pharmaceutical dosage form for the future clinical application of Jug.