A novel embolic microspheres with micro nano binary progressive structure for transarterial chemoembolization applications.

In this work, a novel embolic microspheres with micro nano binary progressive structure (MN-Ms) were developed for transarterial chemoembolization (TCE) applications. The Bletilla striata polysaccharide (Bsp) polymer can inhibit neovascularization and having a dimensional porous network structure, which as the first level of micron structure (microspheres) and will play a role on tumor embolization and inhibition of ischemia-induced neovascularization. The nano flexible liposomes which were embedded by the Bsp polymer microspheres as the second level nano structure to deliver drug across biological membrane barriers. And the micro nano binary progressive structure of MN-Ms was easily formed by using an emulsion crosslinking method. The MN-Ms appeared as perfect round shape with desired swelling and suspensibility characteristics, this was very convenient for embolizing operation by TCE. Due to the binary progressive structure, the MN-Ms could effectively site-specific delivery drug to the targeted liver tissue by enhancing the permeability of Sodium dimethyl-cantharidate (SC) across vessel walls & tissue matrix and delaying drug release at the site of administration, this caused the administrated SC mostly accumulated in the liver, also a higher cytotoxicity to human hepatoma cells. This work indicate that the MN-Ms may be a promising embolic agent for TCE applications for advanced liver cancer.

Preparation of matrine loaded microspheres based on Bletilla striata polysaccharide / 药学学报

Microspheres (MS) are an excellent transarterial chemoembolization carrier for cancer treatment. Then the Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) that was isolated from the rattan of Bletilla striata was used as skeleton material, and the matrine (ME) loaded Bletilla striata polysaccharide microspheres (ME-BSPMS) were prepared by emulsify-chemical crosslinking method. ME-BSPMS was characterized for appearance shape, particle size, drug loading, swelling ratio, suspension property, drug entrapment condition and in vitro release characteristics. The results showed that the ME-BSPMS appeared as round spherical and smooth shape by SEM, with an average size of (85 ±7) μm. ME-BSPMS with a good suspension in physiological saline and the swelling ratio could reach upwards of (53 ±4.2)% in 20 minutes, also with a large amount of drug loading of (30.12 ±3.25)%. The results of DSC scanning indicate that good compatibility exists between the ME and BSP, and the ME could be embedded fully in the matrix of the ME-BSPMS. The accumulation drug release from ME-BSPMS was (25.38 ±1.57)% at 12 h, this suggests that the ME-BSPMS has a good sustained release effect. These results indicate that the ME-BSPMS may be a promising transarterial chemoembolization carrier for cancer treatment.