Cytotoxic Effect of Dihydroquercetin and Its Derivatives in Liposomal Form and in the Form of Fat Nanoscale Emulsions

We studied cytotoxic effects of dihydroquercetin (DHQ) and its derivatives, penta-O-acetylsalicylate dihydroquercetin (PAS DHQ), penta-O-acetate dihydroquercetin (PA DHQ), and penta-O-benzoate dihydroquercetin (PB DHQ), in aqueous solutions, liposomal form, and in the form of fat emulsions, on cultured tumor cells HL-60 and HEp-2. Solubility of the DHQ derivatives in aqueous solutions was much lower than that of DHQ. Modification of DHQ either did not alter its toxicity (PAS DHQ) or significantly reduced the cytotoxic effect of DHQ on tumor cells (PA DHQ, PB DHQ). DHQ and its derivative PAS DHQ were more toxic when dissolved in an aqueous solution than in the form of liposomes. Cytotoxic effect of DHQ applied in the form of fat emulsion was significantly higher than in the liposomal form and was close to the activity of DHQ in a solution. These results can be implicated for the development of new anticancer drugs based on liposomal and fat emulsions.