Transferrin Modified Dioscin Loaded PEGylated Liposomes: Characterization and In Vitro Antitumor Effect

In this study, a novel transferrin modified liposomal dioscin was prepared by the film dispersion method. The transferrin modified dioscin loaded liposomes (Tf-Lip/Dio) were near-spherical in morphology and had an average particle size of 140.07±1.33 nm, a narrow polydispersity index of <0.2 and a relatively stable zeta potential of -23.7±1.16 mV. The drug entrapment efficiency (EE) and drug loading (DL) of Tf-Lip/Dio were 88.94±1.02% and 4.16±0.05%, respectively. Tf-Lip/Dio exhibited a sustained release characterization of approximately 30% of the total dioscin content after 72 h at 37 °C. Tf-Lip/Dio showed higher cytotoxic efficacy after incubation for 24 h in both HeLa cells and HepG2 cells than in nonmodified liposomes. The enhanced antitumor activity of Tf-Lip/Dio might be due to the increased intracellular uptake, which was corroborated by laser scanning confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Furthermore, hemolysis experiments preliminarily verified the safety of its intravenous injection. Overall, this study demonstrates Tf-Lip/Dio to be a favorable delivery vehicle for dioscin in future cancer therapy.