A novel glyceryl monoolein-bearing cubosomes for gambogenic acid: Preparation, cytotoxicity and intracellular uptake.

Lyotropic cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticles, also known as 'cubosomes', have been tested as effective carriers for a variety of drugs due to their ability to enhance delivery efficiency and reduced drug side effects. Cubosomes are colloidal carriers composed of biodegradable Glyceryl monooleate and F127. Being composed of well tolerable and physiological materials, these carriers are well tolerated, compatible and non-toxic. In this study, therefore, we developed a novel, water-soluble, glyceryl monooleate and F127 based multiblock copolymer for Gambogenic acid (GNA) by emulsion-evaporation and low temperature-solidification technique. Physicochemical properties, in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and in vivo pharmacokinetic of GNA-loaded cubosomes (GNA-Cubs) were investigated. The results revealed that GNA-Cubs were spherical or ellipsoidal monocellular by dynamic light scattering, meanwhile, 150-250nm in mean size with narrow polydispersity indexas determined by transmission electron microscopy. Small angle X-ray scattering indicated that GNA-Cubs retain the Pn3m cubic symmetry. Compared with GNA solution, GNA-Cubs exhibited markedly prolonged inhibitory activity in SMMC-7721 cells, as well as time-dependent increases in intra-cellular uptake. Furthermore, in vivo pharmacokinetic study showed that the Cmax values and the AUC of GNA-Cubs were higher than GNA solution approximately 1.2-fold and 9.1-fold, respectively. In conclusion, the results showed that the cubic liquid crystalline nanoparticles could be a potentially nanocarrier in the delivery of GNA for cancer therapy.