title: Enhanced antitumor efficacy of folate targeted nanoparticles co-loaded with docetaxel and curcumin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study aimed to investigate whether the novel folate (FT) modified nanoparticles (NPs) co-loaded with docetaxel (DT) and curcumin (CU) (named as FT-NPs) could enhance the delivery efficiency to tumor compared with the NPs without FT (non-targeted NPs).
  
  
  METHODS
  FT-NPs were successfully formulated in this article. In vitro cytotoxic activity against A549 cells and in vivo antitumor activity of FT-NPs in S180 cell bearing mice were conducted. Cellular uptake test was used to evaluate uptake efficiency of FT-NPs. Histological observation was used to determine the lung security. Besides, the physical chemical properties such as stability, particle size, zeta potential, drug encapsulation efficiency, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were also conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FT-NPs exhibited stronger growth inhibition effects on A549 cells compared with non-targeted NPs, moreover, the novel FT-NPs indicated more effective antitumor efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth. Confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that the uptake of FT-NPs was facilitated and effective. Histological observation meant that FT-NPs were biocompatible and appropriate for pulmonary administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results confirmed that FT-NPs with relatively high drug loading capacity could effectively inhibit tumor growth and reduce toxicity. The novel FT-NPs could produce as an outstanding nanocarrier for the targeted treatment of cancers.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China. Electronic address: hbupharm@126.com.
authors.forename: Liandong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
authors.forename: Saixi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: CSPC Pharmaceutical Group NBP Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Qiaofeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
authors.forename: Deliang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
authors.forename: Dongqian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Xi'an Lijun Pharmaceutical Limited Liability Company, Xian 710000, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: Xi'an Lijun Pharmaceutical Limited Liability Company, Xian 710000, China.
authors.forename: Jianying
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012510:Sarcoma 180 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012995:Solubility; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D047368:Tumor Burden / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D011091:Polyesters; D043823:Taxoids; C000589473:polyethylene glycol-poly(lactide-co-glycolide); D000077143:Docetaxel; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005492:Folic Acid; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: Antitumor activity; Curcumin; Docetaxel; Encapsulation; Folate