Novel core-shell fiber delivery system for synergistic treatment of cervical cancer

Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GLT) possess advantageous characteristics including antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. In this study, a drug loaded core-shell fibrous system was engineered using the coaxial electrospinning method. The core comprised polycaprolactone and GTL whilst the shell contained polyethylene oxide with anti-cancer drug methotrexate. The morphology and structure, chemical composition, biocompatibility and in vitro release profile of the encapsulated GLT was assessed. Scanning electron microscopy images showed cylindrical fibers were developed whilst fluorescence microscopy confirmed the successful formation of core-shell fibers.Increasing GLT concentration from 2 wt% to 6 wt% resulted in an increase in mean fiber diameter from 2.29 ± 1.26 µm to 4.65 ± 2.30 µm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry analysis all confirmed that both drugs were encapsulated in amorphous form while contact angle hysteresis showed engineered fibres to possess good hydrophilicity. In vitro drug release tests indicated the release of methotrexate (R 2 = 0.9941) and GLT (R 2 = 0.9924) were controlled by Fick Diffusion. In vitro cell culture experiments proved that the combined use of traditional Chinese medicine and current western medicine has good application prospects in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Multifluid electrospinning for multi-drug delivery systems: pros and cons, challenges, and future directions

“…[225][226][227] In a different study, Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GLT), which is a fungus-derived natural medicine possessing anti-cancer effects such as anti-proliferation and antiinflammation, was used in combination with the anti-cancer drug methotrexate (MTX). 228 GLT was incorporated in the PCL core and MTX was incorporated in the PEO shell layer of a coreshell fiber structure for controlled delivery. MTX displayed a biphasic release profile with an initial burst release in the early stage, while GLT was released more slowly in a sustained manner over 180 hours.…”

Recent Progress of Electrospun Herbal Medicine Nanofibers

“…Anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-proliferation Easy to be oxidized [41] Poria cocos (mushroom) Poricoic acid A Prebiotic functions, diuretic, anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor / [42] Cinnamon (bark) Phenol compound Antibacterial, anti-tumor, antioxidant Easy to degrade, volatile [43] Pinus halepensis (bark) Anthocyanin, phenolic acid Antioxidant, antiviral, analgesic, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial / [44] Magnoliae (cortex) Magnolol…”

“…At the same time, the volatile solvent in the spinning solution evaporates (drying process), and long and thin filaments are ejected from the tip. These filaments solidify and then deposit on the grounded collector to form uniform nanofibers [41,78]. The characteristics of electrospun nanofibers are small fiber diameter, high surface area, high porosity, elasticity, and easy functionalization.…”

Gemcitabine cationic polymeric nanoparticles against ovarian cancer: formulation, characterization, and targeted drug delivery

“…Ovarian cancer originates in the female eggs and often goes undetected unless it proliferates in the stomach and pelvis (Pitre, 2010 ; Mendes et al., 2021 ). These types of malignancies among women are challenging to treat, and therefore they are very much incurable (Gatenby & Brown, 2020 ; Shen et al., 2020 ; Annaji et al., 2021 ). It is the second most common gynecological cancer in females, with a registered incidence of about 15 cases per 100,000 women in western countries(Joachim et al., 2020 ).…”