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Drug Res (Stuttg) 2022; 72(02): 72-81
DOI: 10.1055/a-1640-0009
Original Article

Delivery of Ursolic Acid by Polyhydroxybutyrate Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy: in silico and in vitro Studies

Sureshbabu Ram Kumar Pandian
1   Department of Biotechnology, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Tamilnadu, India
,
Selvaraj Kunjiappan 
1   Department of Biotechnology, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Tamilnadu, India
,
Parasuraman Pavadai
2   Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, M S R Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
,
Velmurugan Sundarapandian
1   Department of Biotechnology, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Tamilnadu, India
,
Vivek Chandramohan
3   Department of Biotechnology, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India
,
Krishnan Sundar
1   Department of Biotechnology, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Tamilnadu, India
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Abstract

Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid and a phytochemical, is a potent inhibitory agent against proliferation of various tumors. Polyhydroxybutyrate nanoparticles (PHB NPs) are preferred in therapeutics due to their drug-stabilizing property and enhanced biological activity. In this study, PHB NPs were utilized to deliver and enhance the bioavailability of UA against cancer cells (HeLa). Further, molecular docking and dynamic studies were conducted to calculate the binding affinity and stability of UA at the active site of target protein (epidermal growth factor receptor-EGFR). The PHB NPs revealed the average size as 150–200 nm in TEM, which were used in subsequent experiments. The cytoplasmic uptake of nanoparticles was confirmed by florescent microscopy. The encapsulation potential of PHB NPs with UA was assessed by UV–visible spectrophotometer as 54%. Besides, the drug release behavior, cytotoxicity and the regulation of apoptosis were investigated in vitro. The cytotoxicity results revealed that the maximum efficiency of drug delivery was at 96th hour.

Key words

PHB nanoparticles - plant metabolite - ursolic acid - drug delivery - EGFR


Publication History

Received: 30 May 2021
Received: 15 August 2021

Accepted: 06 September 2021

Article published online:
19 October 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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