Liposomal Taro Lectin Nanocapsules Control Human Glioblastoma and Mammary Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation

Abstract

The search for natural anticancer agents and nanocarrier uses are a part of the current strategies to overcome the side effects caused by chemotherapeutics. Liposomal nanocapsules loaded with purified tarin, a potential immunomodulatory and antitumoral lectin found in taro corms, were produced. Liposomes were composed by 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine, cholesterylhemisuccinate, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[folate(polyethylene glycol)-2000 prepared by thin-film hydration. Small unilamellar vesicles were achieved by sonication and extrusion. Scanning electron microscopy evidenced round-shaped nanocapsules presenting a smooth surface, 150 nm diameter and polydispersity index <0.2, estimated by dynamic light scattering. Tarin entrapment rates were over 80% and leakage of ~3% under 40 days of storage at 4 °C. Entrapped tarin exhibited an 83% release after 6 h at pH 4.6–7.4 and 36 °C. Both free and encapsulated tarin exhibited no in vitro toxicity against healthy mice bone marrow and L929 cells but stimulated the production of fibroblast-like and large round-shaped cells. Encapsulated tarin resulted in inhibition of human glioblastoma (U-87 MG) and breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) proliferation, with an IC50 of 39.36 and 71.38 µg/mL, respectively. The effectiveness of encapsulated tarin was similar to conventional chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin and temozolide. Tarin liposomal nanocapsules exhibited superior pharmacological activity compared to free tarin as a potential chemotherapy adjuvant.

Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Benefits of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Corms, an Underexploited Tuber Crop

“…Studies on Colocasia esculenta have been conducted worldwide, but especially in geographic regions where taro cultivation is notably expressive, such as the USA, Nigeria, South Africa, Samoa, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and New Zealand ( Figure 1 and Table 2 ). Taro’s health-promoting potential has been confirmed by in vitro and in vivo preclinical assays, by assaying raw or cooked corms and taro derivatives in the form of flour or extracts ( Table 2 ) [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ].…”

“…5T1X and 5T20). This protein is able to reproduce the anticancer and antimetastatic effects of the crude extract when assayed in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting human hepatoma cells (HepG2 lineage) proliferation as well as lung and heart colonization [ 42 , 44 ].…”

Preparation and Characterization of Nanoliposomes for the Entrapment of Bioactive Hydrophilic Globular Proteins

“…The protocol described herein was tested by Correa et al 16 to encapsulate tarin, an immunomodulatory and antitumoral lectin purified from…”

“…It also potentiates tarin pharmacological properties, such as inhibition of human glioblastoma U-87 MG and breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell lines and stimulation of mice bone marrow cells. The liposomal preparation exhibited no toxic effects in healthy mice cells 16 .…”

“…Adaptations of this method, as reported in the present study, are successfully applied by including additional steps such as sonication and extrusion through a 0.2 µm polycarbonate membrane. This allows production of a more homogeneous dispersion regarding size in the nanometer range 16,23,24 . Therefore, to ensure successful results, the encapsulation protocol and liposomal formulation described here should be strictly followed.…”