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Mistletoe and Garlic Extracts as Polyurethane Carriers - A Possible Remedy for Choroidal Melanoma
Melania F Munteanu1, Aurel Ardelean1, Florin Borcan2
1Faculty of General Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine, "Vasile Goldis" University, Arad, Arad. Romania.
Background:
Melanoma is known as the most dangerous form of skin cancer; whereas the malignant choroidal melanoma is an orphan disease known as the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Literature suggests that the consumption of garlic and mistletoe leads to a reduced risk of developing cancer.
Objective:
The aim of this study was the obtaining and the characterization of polymer structures containing mistletoe or garlic extract.
Methods:
The structures were obtained in a polyaddition process combined with a spontaneous emulsification; they were characterized by pH, size, Zeta potential and DSC measurements, evaluation of encapsulation efficacy, penetrability through membranes and in vitro cytotoxicity tests.
Results:
The microstructures present sizes between 1.05 and 2.60 µm and Zeta potentials between -7 and +36 mV. A good encapsulation was observed on different evaluations (88-92%). It was determined that approx. 30% of polymer microstructures containing vegetal extracts pass through an artificial membrane in 4 days. An in vitro cytotoxicity test revealed that these products are safe for administration. The analysis of antitumor efficacy indicates that garlic extracts have important effects after 48 and 72 hours on A375 cells; however, polymer microstructures with herbal extracts did not reveal antiproliferative activities on A375 cells because these polymer structures present a slow degradation.
Conclusion:
Sterile eye drops solutions based on polymer microstructures containing garlic or mistletoe extracts were obtained; the sample based on garlic extracts may be used in the pharmaceutical field as drug carrier with an antiproliferative effect which occurs after a prolong period.
Insights
Polymer microstructures containing garlic or mistletoe extracts were developed for potential cancer treatments. Garlic extract showed promise for drug delivery, though antiproliferative effects were delayed due to slow polymer degradation.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Malignant choroidal melanoma is a rare but serious intraocular cancer.
- Garlic and mistletoe consumption are linked to reduced cancer risk in literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create and characterize polymer structures encapsulating mistletoe or garlic extract.
- To evaluate the potential of these structures as drug carriers for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Polyaddition and spontaneous emulsification for structure synthesis.
- Characterization included pH, size, Zeta potential, DSC, encapsulation efficiency, membrane penetration, and cytotoxicity.
- In vitro testing on A375 melanoma cells.
Main Results:
- Microstructures ranged from 1.05–2.60 µm with Zeta potentials of -7 to +36 mV.
- High encapsulation efficacy (88–92%) and 30% membrane penetration over 4 days.
- Garlic extract showed cytotoxicity against A375 cells after 48–72 hours; however, polymer structures exhibited slow degradation, delaying antiproliferative activity.
Conclusions:
- Sterile eye drop solutions containing garlic or mistletoe extracts in polymer microstructures were successfully produced.
- Garlic-based formulations show potential as drug carriers with delayed antiproliferative effects for pharmaceutical applications.
