title: Evaluation of anticancer activity of celastrol liposomes in prostate cancer cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Celastrol, a natural compound derived from the herb Tripterygium wilfordii, is known to have anticancer activity, but is not soluble in water.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Formation of celastrol liposomes, to avoid the use of toxic solubilising agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two different formulations of PEGylated celastrol liposomes were fabricated. Liposomal characteristics and serum stability were determined using dynamic light scattering. Drug entrapment efficacy and drug release were measured spectrophotometrically. Cellular internalisation and anticancer activity was measured in prostate cancer cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Liposomal celastrol displayed efficient serum stability, cellular internalisation and anticancer activity, comparable to that of the free drug reconstituted in dimethyl sulfoxide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liposomal celastrol can decrease the viability of prostate cancer cells, while eliminating the need for toxic solubilising agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute , Houston, TX , USA .
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wolfram
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suri
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Molinaro
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borsoi
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boom
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paolino
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fresta
authors.forename: Jianghua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Celia
authors.forename: Haifa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D029757:Tripterygium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D008081:Liposomes; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D014315:Triterpenes; C050414:celastrol
keywords: Celastrol; liposomes; prostate cancer