Nanoemulsion based lipid nanoparticles for effective demethylcantharidin delivery to cure liver cancer

Demethylcantharidin (DEM) is a widely used antitumor drug; however, its poor tumor targeting and serious organotoxicity limit its application. The aim of this study was to develop a new drug delivery system for efficient delivery of DEM. Nanoemulsion based lipid nanoparticles containing demethylcantharidin (DNLNs) were prepared by loading nanoemulsions into lipid nanoparticles. The cells proliferation, apoptosis, cycle, and uptake were investigated by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, and in situ fluorescence assays, respectively. Then, we established the H22 tumor-bearing mouse model to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of DNLNs and further studied its organ toxicity and distribution. DNLNs significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of H22 cells, and H22 cells could take up more DNLNs. Compared with DEM, DNLNs had certain tumor-targeting properties, and the tumor inhibition rate increased by 23.24%. Moreover, DNLNs can increase white blood cell count and reduce organ toxicity. This study paves the way for nanoemulsion-based lipid nanoparticle (NLNs)-efficient DEM delivery to treat liver cancer.