Development and Characterization of DOPEPEG2000 Coated Oleic Acid Liposomes Encapsulating Anticancer Drugs

Synthesis of N-acyl glycine surfactant from palm oil as green repellent and toxicant to termite (Microcerotermes diversus)

This study described for the first time, the synthesis of a greener, safer, and more effective termiticide using a bio-based surfactant, N-acyl glycine derived from palm oil for the control of Microcerotermes diversus. Laboratory findings showed that the highest repellent activity was observed in N-acyl glycine surfactant (83.33%) at 50 ppm. In addition, N-acyl glycine surfactant also exhibited substantial time and concentration-dependent anti-termiticidal activity in which the highest termite mortality was observed after 3 days of exposure at 50 ppm of the surfactant (100%). Furthermore, 32.49 ppm concentration of N-acyl glycine surfactant (LC50 = 32.49 ppm) attained 50% of termite lethality. The current innovated termiticide with the use of N-acyl glycine surfactant offers a better efficacy, lower cost, and prevents the use of dangerous termiticides that are critical in creating a more sustainable environment, and controls Microcerotermes diversus at the same time.

Mixed Oleic Acid-Erucic Acid Liposomes as a Carrier for Anticancer Drugs

BACKGROUND

Liposomes are mostly known to be prepared from phospholipids and lipids and have a remarkable capacity to encapsulate both lipophobic and lipophilic molecules. However, there is little research on developing fatty acid liposomes for chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

We have successfully prepared mixed fatty acid liposomes from two monounsaturated fatty acids, namely oleic acid and erucic acid, which stabilised by DOPEPEG2000. The Critical Vesicular Concentration (CVC) of liposomes was found to be within 0.09 to 0.21 mmol dm^-3, with an average particle size of 400 nm.

METHODS

Encapsulation of various anticancer drugs such as folinic acid, methotrexate, doxorubicin, or irinotecan resulted in Encapsulation Efficiency (%EE) of up to 90%. Using a 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the median Inhibitory Concentration (IC₅₀) values of mixed oleic acid-erucic acid encapsulating hydrophilic drugs was remarkably reduced at the end of 24 hours of incubation with the human lung carcinoma cell line A549.

RESULTS

The results suggest that mixed oleic acid-erucic acid liposomes are a potential new approach to further develop as an alternative vehicle of various drugs for cancer treatment.