Dual stimuli-responsive ursolic acid-embedded nanophytoliposome for targeted antitumor therapy

The hindrances in achieving clinically translatable anticancer platforms are being tackled through nanotechnology-based formulations. In this study, stimuli-responsive, phytoactive constituent-loaded nanophytoliposomes were fabricated for designing a specific antitumor platform. Ursolic acid (UA)-loaded nanophytoliposomes (UA-PLL-HA.P) enwrapped in a poly-L-lysine (PLL) coat and hyaluronic acid (HA) were nanosized; these nanophytoliposomes had spherical morphology, slightly negative charge, and an in-range polydispersity index (~0.25). Successful fabrication of the nanosystem was proven through several characterization methods and the pH- and enzyme-responsiveness of the nanosystem was assessed through a release study. The cellular internalization in CD44 receptor-expressing cell lines was amplified by enhanced permeation and retention as well as by active targeting. In vitro antitumor behavior was confirmed through in vitro cytotoxic and apoptotic activity of the nanosystem. Similarly, in vivo imaging showed exceptional biodistribution in the tumor in agreement with the in vitro findings. Moreover, the tumor inhibitory rate of UA-PLL-HA.P was significantly higher, and was ascribed to the targeting potential and stimuli-responsiveness. In summary, UA-PLL-HA.P exhibited pronounced anticancer effect and could open a number of possibilities for discovering novel phytoconstituent-incorporated nanoformulations.