Niosome-encapsulated auraptene reduced the mRNA expression of VEGF-A and PDGFs genes in human retina-derived RPE cell...

To evaluate the effect of auraptene (AUR) treatment in forms of free and encapsulated in niosome nanoparticles by investigating the mRNA expression level of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF)-A and platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell line.

Niosome nanocarriers were produced using two surfactants Span 60 and Tween 80. RPE cell line was treated with both free AUR and niosome-encapsulated. Optimum dosage of treatments was calculated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Expression of VEGF-A and PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C, PDGF-D genes was measured after total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

The highest entrapment efficiency (EE) was achieved by Span 60:cholesterol (1:1) with 64.3%. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of free and niosome-encapsulated AUR were 38.5 and 27.78 µg/mL, respectively. Release study revealed that niosomal AUR had more gradual delivery to the cells. RT-PCR results showed reduced expression levels of VEGF-A, PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C, and PDGF-D after treatment with both free and niosomal AUR.

Niosomal formulation of Span 60: cholesterol (1:1) is an effective drug delivery approach to transfer AUR to RPE cells. VEGF-A, PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C, and PDGF-D are four angiogenic factors, inhibiting which by niosomal AUR may be effective in age-related macular degeneration.