Anticancer activity of a hydrogel containing folic acid towards MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to prepare a hydrogel, based on ellagic acid and glycine, embedded with folic acid, as a subcutaneous implant for the treatment of breast cancer. The function of folic acid is to selectively and actively target tumor cells which are well-known to overexpress folic acid receptors on their surface.


METHODS
A pro-drug based on L-glycine and ellagic acid, was functionalized with a polymerizable group and loaded with folic acid to make it more natural, non-toxic, compatible and specific for the site of action. Cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells was also evaluated. Release studies of folic acid were conducted on aliquots of hydrogel at different pH (6.2 and 7.4) and time-points (1, 6, 12 and 24 h) using a shaking water bath at 37°C (body temperature).


RESULTS
Our results show that folic acid release by the hydrogel is characterized by a slow kinetic release, especially at pH 6.2. Moreover, it was evidenced that the exposure of human breast cancer cells to ellagic acid-based hydrogel containing folic acid significantly reduced cell viability.
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy. roberta.cassano@unical.it.
Sonia
S
Trombino
Teresa
T
Ferrarelli
Michele
M
Pellegrino
Emilia
E
Ricchio
Loredana
L
Mauro
Sebastiano
S
Andò
Nevio
N
Picci
Roberta
R
Cassano
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D004610:Ellagic Acid; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D005492:Folic Acid
Hydrogel; anti-oxidant; breast cancer; ellagic acid; folic acid; glycine; implant