Development and Characterization of a Fucoidan-Based Drug Delivery System by Using Hydrophilic Anticancer Polysaccharides to Simultaneously Deliver Hydrophobic Anticancer Drugs

Abstract

<jats:p>Fucoidan, a natural sulfated polysaccharide, which can activate the immune response and lessen adverse effects, is expected to be an adjuvant agent in combination with chemotherapy. Using natural hydrophilic anticancer polysaccharides to simultaneously encapsulate hydrophobic anticancer drugs is feasible, and a reduced side effect can be achieved to amplify the therapeutic efficacy. In this study, a novel type of fucoidan-PLGA nanocarrier (FPN-DTX) was developed for the encapsulation of the hydrophobic anticancer drug, docetaxel (DTX), as a drug delivery system. From the comparison between FPN-DTX and the PLGA particles without fucoidan (PLGA-DTX), FPNs–DTX with fucoidan were highly stable with smaller sizes and dispersed well without aggregations in an aqueous environment. The drug loading and release can be further modified by modulating relative ratios of Fucoidan (Fu) to PLGA. The (FPN 3-DTX) nanoparticles with a 10:3 ratio of Fu:PLGA displayed uniform particle size with higher encapsulation efficiency than PLGA NPs and sustained drug release ability. The biocompatible fucoidan-PLGA nanoparticles displayed low cytotoxicity without drug loading after incubation with MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Despite lower cellular uptake than that of PLGA-DTX due to a higher degree of negative zeta potential and hydrophilicity, FPN 3-DTX effectively exerted better anticancer ability, so FPN 3-DTX can serve as a competent drug delivery system.</jats:p>

Present Status, Limitations and Future Directions of Treatment Strategies Using Fucoidan-Based Therapies in Bladder Cancer

“…The cytotoxic effects of DTX-encapsulated fucoidan-polymeric micelles poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanocarriers against triple-negative breast cancer cells were reported earlier in 2020 [ 73 ]. In that study, fucoidan was derived from Fucusvesicululos , and MDA-MB-231 cells were used.…”

“…In that study, fucoidan was derived from Fucusvesicululos , and MDA-MB-231 cells were used. The authors concluded that the nanoparticles effectively exerted better anti-cancer effects and were recognized as a competent drug delivery system [ 73 ]. Moreover, other investigators showed the synergistic effects of DTX and fucoidan in multifunctional nanoparticles encapsulated in green tea polyphenol and low-dose DTX within fucoidan-based nanoparticles against prostate cancer [ 74 ].…”

Seaweeds’ nutraceutical and biomedical potential in cancer therapy: a concise review

“…Seaweed polysaccharides have gained interest in this topic due to the already available know-how as they are easy to obtain and purify, cost effective, nontoxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, and easy to work with [172,230] . Also, using natural hydrophilic seaweed polysaccharides to encapsulate hydrophobic anti-cancer agents is practicable, and can diminish side effects and the dispersion of the chemotherapy agents in the human body, thus amplifying the therapeutic efficiency and efficacy [232] .…”

“…Results demonstrated that the curcumin associated to a carrageenan drug delivery was more active against the cancer cells than curcumin in its free form [230] . Similarly, Lai et al [232] used hybrid fucoidan -Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) to encapsulate a hydrophobic anti-cancer compound (docetaxel).…”

Novel Natural-based Biomolecules Discovery for Tackling Chronic Diseases

“…Four cancer-related research articles by Wang Q. et al [ 1 ], Miao Y. et al [ 2 ], Martínez-García D. et al [ 3 ], Thangaraj K. et al [ 4 ], and Lai Y. et al [ 5 ] demonstrate that several natural-based compounds/proteins could effectively influence the cancer formation and progression. These study findings unveil the relationship of the SUMO pathway and DAPK1 protein degradation, demonstrate the target modifications of novel protease could effectively and efficiently alter its anticancer bioactivity, study the survivin levels through potent STAT3 Inhibition in lung cancer, investigate the cell cycle arrest and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma, and develop a Fucoidan-based drug delivery system by using hydrophilic anticancer polysaccharides to simultaneously deliver hydrophobic anticancer drugs, respectively.…”