No abstract

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the reduction in halofantrine (Hf) toxicity, an antimalarial drug frequently associated with QT interval prolongation in electrocardiogram, by its entrapment in poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanocapsules (NC). The acute lethal dose (LD(100)) of Hf.HCl experimentally observed was 200 mg/kg whereas the calculated LD(50) was 154 mg/kg. In contrast, the LD(100) for Hf-NC was 300 mg/kg with a longer mean time to death than Hf.HCl. The calculated LD(50) was 249 mg/kg for Hf-NC. The Hf entrapped in PCL NC presented a greater efficacy than PLA-PEG NC and than Hf solution in P. berghei-infected mice at 1 mg/kg. The cardiovascular parameters, ECG and arterial blood pressure, were evaluated in anaesthetized Wistar rats after the IV administration of a single, especially high dose (100 and 150 mg/kg) of halofantrine base loaded-nanocapsules (Hf-NC) or halofantrine chlorhydrate (Hf.HCl) solution. It was observed that Hf solution caused prolongation of the QT and PR intervals of the ECG; however, this effect was significantly (P<0.001) reduced when Hf was administered entrapped in nanocapsules. The treatment with Hf.HCl induced a pronounced bradycardia and severe hypotension leading to death. The effect of Hf-NC upon heart rate was reduced from 58 to 75% for 100 and 150 mg/kg, respectively, when compared with Hf.HCl solution. These findings show that the encapsulation of halofantrine reduces the QT interval prolongation of ECG in rats and suggest that a modification of drug distribution was possible by using nanocapsules. Hf encapsulation was the main factor responsible for the significant reduction in cardiac toxicity observed.

A range of antitumor agents for cancer treatment is available; however, they show low specificity, which often limit their use. Recently, we have reported the preparation of folate-coated long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposomes (SpHL-folate-PTX) loaded with paclitaxel (PTX), an effective drug for the treatment of solid tumors, including breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize SpHL-PTX and SpHL-folate-PTX radiolabeled with technetium–99 m (99mTc). Biodistribution studies and scintigraphic images were performed after intravenous administration of 99mTc-PTX, 99mTc-SpHL-PTX and 99mTc-SpHL-folate-PTX into healthy and tumor-bearing mice. High radiochemical purity (> 98%) and in vitro stability (> 90%) were achieved for both liposome formulations. The pharmacokinetic properties of 99mTc-SpHL-DTPA-PTX and 99mTc-SpHL-folate-DTPA-PTX decreased in a monophasic manner showing half-life of 400.1 and 541.8 min, respectively. Scintigraphic images and biodistribution studies showed a significant uptake in liver, spleen and kidneys, demonstrating these routes as way for excretion. At 8 h post-injection, the liposomal tumor uptake was higher than 99mTc-PTX. Interesting, 4 h after administration, the liposome folate coated showed higher tumor-to-muscle ratio than 99mTc-SpHL-DTPA-PTX and 99mTc-PTX. In conclusion, the liposomal systems, showed high tumor uptake by scintigraphic images, especially the 99mTc-SpHL-folate-DTPA-PTX that showed a sustained and higher tumor-to-muscle ratio than non-functionalized liposome, which indicate its feasibility as a PTX delivery system to folate positive tumors.

A long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposome containing paclitaxel (SpHL-PTX) was recently developed by our group. Once in an acidic environment, for example, tumors, these liposomes undergo destabilization, releasing the encapsulated drug. In this way, the aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular and supramolecular interactions between the lipid bilayer and PTX in similar biological environment conditions. High-sensitivity analyses of SpHL-PTX structures were obtained by the small-angle X-ray scattering technique combined with other techniques such as dynamic light scattering, asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation, transmission electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that PTX incorporation in the liposomal bilayer clearly leads to changes in supramolecular organization of dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) molecules, inducing the formation of more ordered structures. Changes in supramolecular organization were observed at lower pH, indicating that pH sensitivity was preserved even in the presence of fetal bovine serum proteins. Furthermore, morphological and physicochemical characterization of SpHL-PTX evidenced the formation of nanosized dispersion suitable for intravenous administration. In conclusion, a stable nanosized dispersion of PTX was obtained at pH 7.4 with suitable parameters for intravenous administration. At lower pH conditions, the pH sensitivity of the system was clearly evidenced by changes in the supramolecular organization of DOPE molecules, which is crucial for the delivery of PTX into the cytoplasm of the targeted cells. In this way, the results obtained by different techniques confirm the feasibility of SpHL as a promising tool to PTX delivery in acidic environments, such as tumors.

Liposomes are lipid vesicles widely used as nanocarriers in targeted drug delivery systems for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes. A strategy to prolong the blood circulation time of the liposomes includes the addition of a hydrophilic polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety onto the surface of the vesicle. Several studies claim that liposome PEGylation by a single chain length or a combination of PEG with different chain lengths may alter the liposomes' pharmacokinetic properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of PEG on the biodistribution of pH-sensitive liposomes in a tumor-bearing animal model. Three liposomal formulations (PEGylated or not) were prepared and validated to have a similar mean diameter, monodisperse distribution, and neutral zeta potential. The pharmacokinetic properties of each liposome were evaluated in healthy animals, while the biodistribution and scintigraphic images were evaluated in tumor-bearing mice. High tumor-to-muscle ratios were not statistically different between the PEGylated and non-PEGylated liposomes. While PEGylation is a well-established strategy for increasing the blood circulation of nanostructures, in our study, the use of polymer coating did not result in a better in vivo profile. Further studies must be carried out to confirm the feasibility of the non-PEGylated pH-sensitive liposomes for tumor treatment.