Preparation and in vitro evaluation of pH-sensitive drug releasing As2O3-loaded liposome / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To prepare pH-sensitive drug releasing As2O3 loaded liposome (CaAs-LP) and evaluate it in vitro. Methods: CaAs-LP was prepared by thin film dispersion and ion precipitation method. The particle size, PDI, and Zeta potential of CaAs-LP were measured by Malvern particle size analyzer; The morphology of the liposome was investigated by transmission electron microscopy; The drug loading and entrapment efficiency of CaAs-LP by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrum. In vitro release characteristics of CaAs-LP under different pH conditions were investigated by dialysis bag method. MTT assay was used to investigate the toxicity of carrier and CaAs-LP to MCF-7, U87 and HepG2 cells. Results: The prepared CaAs-LP were spherical and well-dispersed with particle size of (117.16 ± 1.94) nm. The encapsulation efficiency and the drug loading rate of CaAs-LP were (74.31 ± 2.11)% and (8.31 ± 0.13)%, respectively. In vitro release studies showed that CaAs-LP had the characteristics of sustained release and pH sensitive drug release, which can achieve specific drug release in the tumor environment. The carrier displayed remarkable biocompatibility in MCF-7, U87, HepG2 and L02 cells. MTT assay showed that the median lethal concentrations (IC50 values) of MCF-7, U87 and HepG2 cells were 11.91, 4.90 and 19.41 μmol/L, while L02 was 27.59 μmol/L, respectively, which showed strong inhibiting effect on tumor cells. Conclusion: CaAs-LP reveals significantly sustained and pH sensitive release characteristics. CaAs-LP is a potential drug delivery system against solid tumor with tumor micro-environment responsive.