Introduction: Mangiferin is a plant antitumor compound with poor water solubility and low bioavailability. In this study, transferrin-modified mangiferin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (Tf-modified MGF-SLNs) were prepared to overcome the above defects.
Methods: Tf-modified MGF-SLNs were prepared by the emulsification-solvent evaporation method. The physicochemical properties of Tf-MGF-SLNs such as particle size, zeta potential and in vitro drug release were investigated. We also demonstrated the effect of Tf-MGF-SLNs in lung cancer.
Results: The mean hydrodynamic diameter of the Tf-MGF-SLNs was 121.8± 2.9 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.134± 0.03. According to TEM micrographs, Tf-MGF-SLNs are spherical and uniform, and the EE% was found to be 72.5± 2.4%. In vitro release, we identified an initial burst effect release, followed by controlled release, in SLNs at both pHs and the Tf-MGF-SLNs drug accumulation release percentages reached over 68% at pH 4.0 and 72% at pH 7.4 in 6 hours, respectively. In vivo studies showed that depending on surface modification, Tf-MGF-SLNs, which suggested that cell internalization was changed and more drugs entered the cells successfully.
Discussion: Tf-MGF-SLNs were highly efficient in suppressing the tumor growth in xenograft tumor model. Sustained release of the drug delivery system and Tf-modified MGF-SLNs played a major role. Tf-MGF-SLNs would be a promising formulation for the treatment of lung cancer.
Keywords: transferrin, mangiferin, SLNs, A549 lung cancer cell