Effect of Glucosamine Conjugate-Functionalized Liposomes on Glioma Cell and Healthy Brain: An Insight for Future...

Conjugation of D-glucosamine with lipophilic moiety can ease its application in surface modification of liposomes. Interestingly, although D-glucosamine is safe, studies have shed light on "toxic effect" of its conjugates on cancer cells and highlighted its application in targeting glioma. However, understanding the safety of such conjugates for local delivery to the brain is unavailable. Herein, after successful synthesis of D-glucosamine conjugate (GC), the toxicity of functionalized liposome was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The study revealed a significant effect on cytotoxicity and apoptosis in vitro as assessed on grade IV-resistant glioma cell lines, SF268, U87MG, using MTT assay and PI staining. Additionally, this effect was not observed on normal human erythrocytes in the hemolysis assay. Furthermore, we demonstrated that GC liposomes were non-toxic to the normal brain tissues of healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Successful functionalization yielded liposome with uniform particle size, stability, and cellular uptake. With < 10% hemolysis, all the liposomal formulations demonstrated hemato-compatibility but led to high glioma cytotoxicity. The surface density of conjugate played an important role in tumor toxicity (0.5 < 1.0 ≤ 2.0% molar ratio). PI staining revealed that compared to control cell, functionalization led 26-fold increase in induction of apoptosis in glioma cells. Absence of histological and behavioral changes along with the absence of caspase-3 in brain tissue confirmed the suitability of the system for direct infusion in the brain. Thus, this study will aid the future development of clinically useful local chemotherapeutic without "add-in" side effects.