Chitosan Nanoparticles Enhance the Antiproliferative Effect of Lapachol in Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Lines

<b>Backgroud/Objectives:</b> Lapachol is a naturally occurring prenylated naphthoquinone with antiproliferative effects. However, its clinical application remains limited due to several factors, including poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and adverse effects. The development of...

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Main Authors: Tatiane Roquete Amparo, Kamila de Fátima da Anunciação, Tamires Cunha Almeida, Lucas Resende Dutra Sousa, Viviane Flores Xavier, Janaína Brandão Seibert, Ana Paula Moreira Barboza, Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira, Orlando David Henrique dos Santos, Glenda Nicioli da Silva, Geraldo Célio Brandão
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Pharmaceutics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/868
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author Tatiane Roquete Amparo
Kamila de Fátima da Anunciação
Tamires Cunha Almeida
Lucas Resende Dutra Sousa
Viviane Flores Xavier
Janaína Brandão Seibert
Ana Paula Moreira Barboza
Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira
Orlando David Henrique dos Santos
Glenda Nicioli da Silva
Geraldo Célio Brandão
author_facet Tatiane Roquete Amparo
Kamila de Fátima da Anunciação
Tamires Cunha Almeida
Lucas Resende Dutra Sousa
Viviane Flores Xavier
Janaína Brandão Seibert
Ana Paula Moreira Barboza
Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira
Orlando David Henrique dos Santos
Glenda Nicioli da Silva
Geraldo Célio Brandão
author_sort Tatiane Roquete Amparo
collection DOAJ
description <b>Backgroud/Objectives:</b> Lapachol is a naturally occurring prenylated naphthoquinone with antiproliferative effects. However, its clinical application remains limited due to several factors, including poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and adverse effects. The development of chitosan-based nanoparticles holds promise in overcoming these challenges and has emerged as a potential nanocarrier for cancer therapy, including bladder cancer. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the effects of chitosan nanoparticles on bladder tumor cell lines. <b>Methods:</b> The nanoemulsion was prepared using the hot homogenization method, while the chitosan nanoparticles were obtained through the ionic gelation technique. The nanoformulations were characterized in terms of particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) using photon correlation spectroscopy, and zeta potential by electrophoretic mobility. Encapsulation efficiency was determined by ultracentrifugation, and the drug release was analyzed using the dialysis method. The antineoplastic potential was assessed using the MTT assay, and the safety profile was assessed through ex vivo analysis. Cellular uptake was determined by fluorescence microscopy. <b>Results:</b> The study demonstrated that both the chitosan-based nanoemulsion and nanospheres encapsulating lapachol exhibited appropriate particle sizes (around 160 nm), high encapsulation efficiency (>90%), and a controlled release profile (Korsmeyer–Peppas model). These nanoemulsion systems enhanced the antiproliferative activity of lapachol in bladder tumor cells, with the nanospheres showing superior cellular uptake. Histopathological analysis indicated the safety of the formulations when administered intravesically. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results suggest that chitosan nanoparticles may represent a promising alternative for bladder cancer treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-09accd950df0452097c8d1fe43b279e72025-08-20T02:47:05ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-07-0117786810.3390/pharmaceutics17070868Chitosan Nanoparticles Enhance the Antiproliferative Effect of Lapachol in Urothelial Carcinoma Cell LinesTatiane Roquete Amparo0Kamila de Fátima da Anunciação1Tamires Cunha Almeida2Lucas Resende Dutra Sousa3Viviane Flores Xavier4Janaína Brandão Seibert5Ana Paula Moreira Barboza6Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira7Orlando David Henrique dos Santos8Glenda Nicioli da Silva9Geraldo Célio Brandão10Postgraduate Program on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, BrazilPostgraduate Program on Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, BrazilLaboratory of Pain and Signaling, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, BrazilPostgraduate Program on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, BrazilPostgraduate Program on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, BrazilNatural Products Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, São Carlos 13565-905, BrazilDepartment of Physiscs, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, BrazilPostgraduate Program on Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, BrazilPostgraduate Program on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, BrazilPostgraduate Program on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, BrazilPostgraduate Program on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, Brazil<b>Backgroud/Objectives:</b> Lapachol is a naturally occurring prenylated naphthoquinone with antiproliferative effects. However, its clinical application remains limited due to several factors, including poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and adverse effects. The development of chitosan-based nanoparticles holds promise in overcoming these challenges and has emerged as a potential nanocarrier for cancer therapy, including bladder cancer. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the effects of chitosan nanoparticles on bladder tumor cell lines. <b>Methods:</b> The nanoemulsion was prepared using the hot homogenization method, while the chitosan nanoparticles were obtained through the ionic gelation technique. The nanoformulations were characterized in terms of particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) using photon correlation spectroscopy, and zeta potential by electrophoretic mobility. Encapsulation efficiency was determined by ultracentrifugation, and the drug release was analyzed using the dialysis method. The antineoplastic potential was assessed using the MTT assay, and the safety profile was assessed through ex vivo analysis. Cellular uptake was determined by fluorescence microscopy. <b>Results:</b> The study demonstrated that both the chitosan-based nanoemulsion and nanospheres encapsulating lapachol exhibited appropriate particle sizes (around 160 nm), high encapsulation efficiency (>90%), and a controlled release profile (Korsmeyer–Peppas model). These nanoemulsion systems enhanced the antiproliferative activity of lapachol in bladder tumor cells, with the nanospheres showing superior cellular uptake. Histopathological analysis indicated the safety of the formulations when administered intravesically. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results suggest that chitosan nanoparticles may represent a promising alternative for bladder cancer treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/868lapacholbladder cancernanoemulsionnanosphereschitosan
spellingShingle Tatiane Roquete Amparo
Kamila de Fátima da Anunciação
Tamires Cunha Almeida
Lucas Resende Dutra Sousa
Viviane Flores Xavier
Janaína Brandão Seibert
Ana Paula Moreira Barboza
Paula Melo de Abreu Vieira
Orlando David Henrique dos Santos
Glenda Nicioli da Silva
Geraldo Célio Brandão
Chitosan Nanoparticles Enhance the Antiproliferative Effect of Lapachol in Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Lines
Pharmaceutics
lapachol
bladder cancer
nanoemulsion
nanospheres
chitosan
title Chitosan Nanoparticles Enhance the Antiproliferative Effect of Lapachol in Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_full Chitosan Nanoparticles Enhance the Antiproliferative Effect of Lapachol in Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_fullStr Chitosan Nanoparticles Enhance the Antiproliferative Effect of Lapachol in Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_full_unstemmed Chitosan Nanoparticles Enhance the Antiproliferative Effect of Lapachol in Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_short Chitosan Nanoparticles Enhance the Antiproliferative Effect of Lapachol in Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Lines
title_sort chitosan nanoparticles enhance the antiproliferative effect of lapachol in urothelial carcinoma cell lines
topic lapachol
bladder cancer
nanoemulsion
nanospheres
chitosan
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/7/868
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