This
study is aimed at developing a micellar carrier for an Anderson-type
manganese polyoxomolybdate (TRIS-MnPOMo) to improve the potency and
reduce the general toxicity. The biotin-targeted stearic acid–polyethylene
glycol (SPB) polymeric conjugate was selected for the first time as
a micelle-forming basis for the delivery of TRIS-MnPOMo to breast
cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of TRIS-MnPOMo and its nanomicellar
form (TRIS-MnPOMo@SPB) was evaluated against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 (breast
cancer cell lines), and HUVEC (normal cell line) in vitro using the
MTT assay. The quantity of cellular uptake and apoptosis level were
studied properly using standard methods. The hydrodynamic size, zeta
potential, and polydispersity index of the prepared micelles were
140 nm, −15.6 mV, and 0.16, respectively. The critical micelle
concentration was about 30 μg/mL, which supports the colloidal
stability of the micellar dispersion. The entrapment efficiency was
interestingly high (about 82%), and a pH-responsive release of TRIS-MnPOMo
was successfully achieved. The micellar form showed better cytotoxicity
than the free TRIS-MnPOMo on cancer cells without any significant
heme and normal cell toxicity. Biotin-targeted nanomicelles internalized
into the MDA-MB-231 cells interestingly better than nontargeted micelles
and TRIS-MnPOMo, most probably via the endocytosis pathway. Furthermore,
at the same concentration, micelles remarkably increased the level
of induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. In conclusion, TRIS-MnPOMo@SPB
could profoundly improve potency, safety, and cellular uptake; these
results are promising for further evaluations in vivo.