title: Preparation, characterization and in vitro efficacy of magnetic nanoliposomes containing the artemisinin and transferrin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Artemisinin is the major sesquiterpene lactones in sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua L.), and its combination with transferrin exhibits versatile anti-cancer activities. Their non-selective targeting for cancer cells, however, limits their application. The aim of this study was to prepare the artemisinin and transferrin-loaded magnetic nanoliposomes in thermosensitive and non-thermosensitive forms and evaluate their antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells for better tumor-targeted therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Artemisinin and transferrin-loaded magnetic nanoliposomes was prepared by extrusion method using various concentrations of lipids. These formulations were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index and shape morphology. The artemisinin and transferrin-loading efficiencies were determined using HPLC. The content of magnetic iron oxide in the nanoliposomes was analysed by spectrophotometry. The in vitro release of artemisinin, transferrin and magnetic iron oxide from vesicles was assessed by keeping of the nanoliposomes at 37°C for 12 h. The in vitro cytotoxicity of prepared nanoliposomes was investigated against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells using MTT assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The entrapment efficiencies of artemisinin, transferrin and magnetic iron oxide in the non-thermosensitive nanoliposomes were 89.11% ± 0.23, 85.09% ± 0.31 and 78.10% ± 0.24, respectively. Moreover, the thermosensitive formulation showed a suitable condition for thermal drug release at 42°C and exhibited high antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in the presence of a magnetic field.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed that the thermosensitive artemisinin and transferrin-loaded magnetic nanoliposomes would be an effective choice for tumor-targeted therapy, due to its suitable stability and high effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Sciences, Borujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujerd, Iran. amirgharib@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gharib
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Faezizadeh
authors.forename: Seyed Ali Reza
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mesbah-Namin
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saravani
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D013696:Temperature; D014168:Transferrin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D037621:Artemisinins; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D008081:Liposomes; D014168:Transferrin; C000499:ferric oxide; C031327:artemisinin