Preparation of RGD-modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti-melanoma effects

Melanoma is the most aggressive skin tumor, and conventional treatment is ineffective. Studies have shown that shikonin, derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has various anticancer activities. In this work, RGD- modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin (RGD-...

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Main Authors: Hao Zhang, Ying Zhao, Tingting Chen, Xinliang Mao, Jiping Li, Li Fan, Min Li, Xianchun Wen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1573628/full
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author Hao Zhang
Ying Zhao
Tingting Chen
Xinliang Mao
Jiping Li
Li Fan
Min Li
Xianchun Wen
author_facet Hao Zhang
Ying Zhao
Tingting Chen
Xinliang Mao
Jiping Li
Li Fan
Min Li
Xianchun Wen
author_sort Hao Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Melanoma is the most aggressive skin tumor, and conventional treatment is ineffective. Studies have shown that shikonin, derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has various anticancer activities. In this work, RGD- modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin (RGD-Lip-SHK) were prepared by thin- film dispersion, which could highly recognize the integrin αVβ3 on the surface of melanoma cells. RGD-Lip-SHK appeared as spheroid-like vesicles with a particle size of approximately 120 nm, and its ξ-potential was negative. RGD-Lip-SHK remained stable in serum within 48 h and possessed sustained-release effect. In vitro, compared with non -targeted liposomes (Lip-SHK), RGD-Lip-SHK was more efficiently taken up, had higher cytotoxicity, was better targeted to inhibit cell growth, migration, and invasion, and boost cell apoptosis by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in melanoma cells. In vivo, RGD-Lip-SHK had the strongest targeted anti-melanoma effect by αVβ3-mediated endocytosis with a long circulation time and inhibited tumor growth in B16F10 tumor-bearing mice compared to other groups. Furthermore, the histology of major organs and the body weight of mice showed that RGD-Lip-SHK had less toxicity. In summary, these results indicated that RGD-Lip-SHK has great potential for the targeted treatment of melanoma, and is expected to become a novel and highly effective strategy for tumor-targeted therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-8f547a4ae272460eb23dfb8a0ad7cd832025-08-20T02:29:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-05-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15736281573628Preparation of RGD-modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti-melanoma effectsHao Zhang0Ying Zhao1Tingting Chen2Xinliang Mao3Jiping Li4Li Fan5Min Li6Xianchun Wen7Pharmacy School, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, ChinaMedical Technology School, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, ChinaEnrollment and Employment Department, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, ChinaPharmacy School, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, ChinaPublic Health School, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, ChinaResearch Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, ChinaThe Third Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, ChinaMedical Technology School, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, ChinaMelanoma is the most aggressive skin tumor, and conventional treatment is ineffective. Studies have shown that shikonin, derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has various anticancer activities. In this work, RGD- modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin (RGD-Lip-SHK) were prepared by thin- film dispersion, which could highly recognize the integrin αVβ3 on the surface of melanoma cells. RGD-Lip-SHK appeared as spheroid-like vesicles with a particle size of approximately 120 nm, and its ξ-potential was negative. RGD-Lip-SHK remained stable in serum within 48 h and possessed sustained-release effect. In vitro, compared with non -targeted liposomes (Lip-SHK), RGD-Lip-SHK was more efficiently taken up, had higher cytotoxicity, was better targeted to inhibit cell growth, migration, and invasion, and boost cell apoptosis by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in melanoma cells. In vivo, RGD-Lip-SHK had the strongest targeted anti-melanoma effect by αVβ3-mediated endocytosis with a long circulation time and inhibited tumor growth in B16F10 tumor-bearing mice compared to other groups. Furthermore, the histology of major organs and the body weight of mice showed that RGD-Lip-SHK had less toxicity. In summary, these results indicated that RGD-Lip-SHK has great potential for the targeted treatment of melanoma, and is expected to become a novel and highly effective strategy for tumor-targeted therapy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1573628/fullshikoninmelanomaliposomesRGDαVβ3 integrin
spellingShingle Hao Zhang
Ying Zhao
Tingting Chen
Xinliang Mao
Jiping Li
Li Fan
Min Li
Xianchun Wen
Preparation of RGD-modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti-melanoma effects
Frontiers in Oncology
shikonin
melanoma
liposomes
RGD
αVβ3 integrin
title Preparation of RGD-modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti-melanoma effects
title_full Preparation of RGD-modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti-melanoma effects
title_fullStr Preparation of RGD-modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti-melanoma effects
title_full_unstemmed Preparation of RGD-modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti-melanoma effects
title_short Preparation of RGD-modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti-melanoma effects
title_sort preparation of rgd modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti melanoma effects
topic shikonin
melanoma
liposomes
RGD
αVβ3 integrin
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1573628/full
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