Potential of curcumin-loaded cubosomes for topical treatment of cervical cancer

Author(s):Show less -

Victorelli, Francesca Damiani ; Manni, Livia Salvati ; Biffi, Stefania ; Bortot, Barbara ; Buzza, Hilde Harb ; Lutz-Bueno, Viviane ; Handschin, Stephan ; Calixto, Giovana ; Murgia, Sergio ; Chorilli, Marlus ; Mezzenga, Raffaele

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science; v. 620, p. 12-pg., 2022-08-15.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. There are an estimated 570.000 new cases of cervical cancer each year and conventional treatments can cause severe side effects. In this work, we developed a platform for vaginal administration of lipophilic drugs for cervical cancer treatment. We formulated mucoadhesive cubosomes for the delivery of curcumin, a lipophilic drug for cervical cancer treatment, to increase its bioavailability and local absorption. This study tests the use of cubosomes for vaginal drug administration and assesses their potential efficiency using the CAM (chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane) model. SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering), cryo-TEM (cryotransmission electron microscopy), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were employed to characterise the system. With ex vivo permeation and retention studies, we find that the curcumin released from our system is retained in the vaginal mucosa. In vitro cytotoxicity assay and cellular uptake showed an increased cytotoxic effect of curcumin against HeLa cell line when incorporated into the cubosomes. The curcumin-loaded cubosomes also demonstrated an antiangiogenic effect evaluated in vivo by the CAM model. (c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/14033-6 - Basic studies of the combination of photothermal and photodynamic effects in application of a new modality for the Cancer treatment
• Grantee: Hilde Harb Buzzá
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/50857-8 - National Institute in Basic Optics and Applied to Life Sciences
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/07245-5 - Lidocaine and epinephrine co-loaded mucoadhesive liquid crystal precursor systems as a strategy for topical anesthesia in the buccal cavity
• Grantee: Giovana Maria Fioramonti Calixto Balian
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/03929-7 - Liquid-crystalline nanoparticles as a new drug delivery system for administration of CUR: potential application for cervical cancer therapy
• Grantee: Francesca Damiani Victorelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• FAPESP's process: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 17/23357-2 - Potential evaluation of liquid crystal precursors systems for vaginal administration of curcumin in the cervical cancer treatment
• Grantee: Francesca Damiani Victorelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master