Honokiol-loaded polymeric nanoparticles: an active targeting drug delivery system for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to develop a novel drug delivery system for a sustained and targeted delivery of honokiol (HK) to the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) HNE-1 cell lines, since the folate receptor (FR) is over-expressed on their surface. Emulsion solvent evaporation was used to develop the active targeting nanoparticles-loaded HK (ATNH) using copolymerpoly (ɛ-caprolactone)-poly (ethyleneglycol)-poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCEC), which was modified with folate (FA) by introducing Polythylenimine (PEI). ATNH characterization, including particle size distribution, morphology, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and drug release, was performed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to evaluate the shape and construction, respectively. MTT assay, cell uptake study and apoptosis test were assayed to detect the antitumor properties and targeting uptake by HNE-1 cells in vitro. Cell-cycle redistribution, (18 )F-FDG PET/CT and immunohistochemistry were performed in vivo. The ATNH we developed were successfully synthesized and showed a suitable size distribution, high encapsulation efficiency, gradual release, and targeting uptake by the cells in vitro. Moreover, ATNH significantly inhibited tumor growth, metabolism, proliferation, micro-vessel generation, and caused cell-cycle arrest at G(1) phase. Thus, these nanoparticles we developed might represent a novel formulation for HK delivery and a promising potential therapy in the treatment of cancer.