Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Liposomes for Co-delivery of 5-Fluorouracil and Cannabidiol Against Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a formidable global health challenge, ranking as the third most prevalent cancer. Conventional treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are limited by adverse effects, driving the search for more effective alternatives.

This study investigates the synergistic potential of co-delivering 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cannabidiol (CBD) using hyaluronic acid (HA)-decorated liposomes. While 5-FU is a cornerstone of CRC treatment, CBD offers promise as an anti-tumor agent. The HA-decorated liposomes enable potential targeted drug delivery to CD44 receptors, which are overexpressed in CRC, while minimizing systemic toxicity by reducing the concentrations of anticancer drugs required.

The liposomal formulation displays optimal physicochemical properties (a sub100nm size and an appropriate negative zeta potential) and acceptable encapsulation and loading efficiencies, ensuring effective drug release. In vitro studies demonstrate that the targeted liposomes have superior anticancer effects, inducing apoptosis (up to 59.1%), cell cycle arrest in the Sub-G1 and G0-G1 phases, reduction of cell viability to 6.98% in human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cells, induction of oxidative stress, and inhibition of colony formation. Additionally, HepG2 (non-CD44-expressing) cells were used as a control to evaluate CD44-targeting efficiency. Gene expression analysis by real-time PCR indicates modulation of key genes associated with cell cycle progression and apoptosis.

This multifaceted approach presents a promising strategy for CRC therapy, but requires additional optimization and rigorous in vivo investigations to facilitate successful clinical translation. In particular, optimization of drug-release kinetics and thorough in vivo validation are essential to advance this platform toward clinical application.