Title:Physical Characterization and Safety Evaluation of Folic Acid-conjugated
Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Rhodojaponin III
Volume: 20
Issue: 10
Author(s): Qingyun Yang, Chuncao Zhao, Jian Yang, Jingyi Zhao, Yi Feng*, Minchen Liu*Jiquan Zhang*
Affiliation:
- Engineering Research Center of Modern Preparation Technology of TCM of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University
of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Engineering Research Center of Modern Preparation Technology of TCM of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University
of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Engineering Research Center of Modern Preparation Technology of TCM of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University
of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
Keywords:
Rhodojaponin-III, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, folic acid, safety evaluation, cellular uptake, sustained release.
Abstract:
Background: Rhodojaponin III (RJ-III), a characteristic diterpene of Rhododendron molle G.
Don, has a wide range of pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and
analgesic effects. However, further research and development have been limited because of its intense
acute toxicity and poor pharmacokinetic profile.
Objective: In this study, we propose the construction of folic acid–conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles
(FA-MSNs) as carriers to deliver RJ-III in an attempt to reduce acute toxicity and improve
biomedical applications by prolonging drug release and targeting delivery.
Methods: FA-MSNs were synthesized and characterized. RJ-III was then loaded into FA-MSNs (RJIII@
FA-MSNs), and the in vitro drug release profile was assessed. Subsequently, the RJ-III@FAMSNs’
cytotoxicity and targeting efficiency were explored in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7
cells, and their acute toxicity was investigated in mice.
Results: Spherical FA-MSNs were approximately 122 nm in size. Importantly, the RJ-III@FA-MSNs
showed prolonged RJ-III release in vitro. Moreover, in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 cells,
RJ-III@FA-MSNs not only reduced the cytotoxicity of RJ-III (P < 0.01), but also showed a good targeting
effect from the results of cellular uptake. Additionally, the acute toxicity results demonstrated that
RJ-III@FA-MSNs improved the LD50 value of RJ-III in mice by intraperitoneal injection 10-fold.
Conclusion: This is the first study to use FA-MSNs as carriers of RJ-III to reduce the acute toxicity of
RJ-III. The results confirm the potential for targeted delivery of RJ-III in inflammatory cells to enhance
efficacy, as well as providing data for future investigations on anti-inflammatory activity.