Pluronics-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Flavonoids Anticancer Treatment

This research concerns the investigation of the preparation of polymeric nanocarriers containing a flavonoid-naringenin, xanthohumol or isoxanthohumol-based on Pluronics by the thin-film formation method. The size of the formed micelles and their stability upon dilution were evaluated using Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis; the high values of the drug loading and the encapsulation efficiency confirmed that the proposed systems of flavonoids delivery consisting of Pluronic P123 and F127 nanomicelles could effectively distribute the drug into tumour tissues, which makes these nanocarriers ideal candidates for passive targeting of cancer cells by the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect. The in vitro cytotoxicity of proposed flavonoids in the Pluronic formulations was investigated by the SRB assay with human colon cancer cells. We designed mixed polymeric micelles, which was a successful drug delivery system for the case of naringenin not being able to enhance the bioavailability and cytotoxic activity of xanthohumol and isoxanthohumol. Furthermore, it was observed that the higher amount of polymer in the formulation achieved better cytotoxic activity.

Automated summary

This research focuses on the preparation of polymeric nanocarriers containing flavonoid-naringenin, xanthohumol, or isoxanthohumol based on Pluronics using the thin-film formation method. The study evaluates the size and stability of the formed micelles using Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis and demonstrates that the proposed systems effectively distribute the drug into tumor tissues, making them ideal candidates for passive targeting of cancer cells. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the flavonoids in the Pluronic formulations is investigated, and mixed polymeric micelles are designed as successful drug delivery systems.