Multilayer-Coated Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles for Effective Sorafenib Delivery to Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in adults and develops due to activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Sorafenib (SF) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its clinical use is limited by its poor aqueous solubility and undesirable side effects. Monoolein-based liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCN) are self-assembled structures that have been determined as promising drug-delivery vehicles. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to prepare layer-by-layer (LbL) polymer-assembled SF-loaded LCNs (LbL-LCN/SF) for effective delivery of SF to hepatocellular carcinoma. Results revealed that LbL-LCN/SF presented optimum particle size (similar to 165 nm) and polydispersity index (PDI, similar to 0.14) with appropriate polymer layer assembly confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, LbL-LCN/SF effectively controlled burst release and exhibited pH-sensitive release of SF, thereby increasing drug release in the acidic microenvironment of tumor cells. Compared to free SF and bare LCN, the hemolytic activity of LbL-LCN/SF was significantly reduced (p < 0.01). Interestingly, LbL-LCN/SF was more cytotoxic to HepG2 cells than the free drug was. Additionally, high cellular uptake and greater apoptotic effects of LbL-LCN/SF in HepG2 cells indicates superior antitumor effects. Therefore, LbL-LCN/SF is a potentially effective formulation for hepatocellular carcinoma.