Nanoparticles use for Delivering Ursolic Acid in Cancer Therapy: A Scoping Review

Ursolic acid inhibits glioblastoma through suppressing TGFβ-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis

Found in many fruits and plants, Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpene that occurs naturally, is recognized for its anti-cancer effects, especially in combating glioblastoma. However, the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning its anti-tumor actions are still not fully understood, despite the recognition of these effects. By examining the functions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis, crucial for glioblastoma progression, and their regulation through Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ) - a key marker for glioblastoma, our research aims to fill this knowledge gap. This study explores how ursolic acid can block the progression of glioblastoma by precisely targeting TGFβ-triggered EMT and angiogenesis. The findings show that UA successfully blocks the spread, movement, and invasion of glioblastoma cells. Accompanying this, there is a significant reduction in the expression of TGFβ and crucial EMT indicators like snail and vimentin. Furthermore, UA shows a reduction in angiogenesis that depends on the dosage, highlighted by decreased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Interestingly, increased TGFβ expression in U87 and U251 glioblastoma cell lines was found to weaken UA's anti-tumor properties, shedding more light on TGFβ's critical function in glioblastoma's pathology. Supporting these laboratory results, UA also showed considerable inhibition of tumor growth in a glioblastoma xenograft mouse model. Overall, our research emphasizes Ursolic acid's promise as a new treatment for glioblastoma and clarifies its action mechanism, mainly by inhibiting TGFβ signaling and thereby EMT and angiogenesis.

Ursolic acid loaded tri-block copolymer nanoparticles based on triphenylphosphine for mitochondria-targeted cancer therapy

A novel biodegradable amphiphilic triblock copolymer, polyphosphate, polyethylene glycol, and polylactic acid (PAEEP-PEG-PLLA), was synthesized by twice ring-opening polymerization and triphenylphosphine (TPP) was grafted onto the block copolymer to synthesize a carrier material TPP-PAEEP-PEG-PLLA, which was identified by1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy. The TPP-PAEEP-PEG-PLLA nanoparticles encapsulated with ursolic acid (UA) were prepared by the emulsion-solvent evaporation method and characterized by dynamic light scattering. The mitochondrial targeting ability of fluorescently labeled nanoparticles was evaluated by laser confocal microscopy. The average particle size and surface charge of the UA -loaded nanoparticle solution were 180.07 ± 1.67 nm and +15.57 ± 1.33 mV, respectively. The biocompatibility of nanoparticles was briefly evaluated by erythrocyte hemolysis assay.In vitrocell proliferation assay and scratch migration assay were performed to compare the difference in anti-tumor effect between UA and UA nanoparticles. The results showed that TPP-modified triblock copolymers had good mitochondrial targeting and improved the low bioavailability of UA, and UA nanoparticles exhibited more pronounced anti-tumor capabilities. In summary, the results suggested that our UA nanoparticles were a promising drug-targeted delivery system for the treatment of tumors.

Ursolic Acid against Prostate and Urogenital Cancers: A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed form of cancer in men worldwide and accounted for roughly 1.3 million cases and 359,000 deaths globally in 2018, despite all the available treatment strategies including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Finding novel approaches to prevent and treat prostate and other urogenital cancers effectively is of major importance. Chemicals derived from plants, such as docetaxel and paclitaxel, have been used in cancer treatment, and in recent years, research interest has focused on finding other plant-derived chemicals that can be used in the fight against cancer. Ursolic acid, found in high concentrations in cranberries, is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. In the present review, we summarize the research studies examining the effects of ursolic acid and its derivatives against prostate and other urogenital cancers. Collectively, the existing data indicate that ursolic acid inhibits human prostate, renal, bladder, and testicular cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. A limited number of studies have shown significant reduction in tumor volume in animals xenografted with human prostate cancer cells and treated with ursolic acid. More animal studies and human clinical studies are required to examine the potential of ursolic acid to inhibit prostate and other urogenital cancers in vivo.

Ligand-free high loading capacity ursolic acid self-carried nanovesicles enable hepatocyte targeting via absorbing apolipoproteins

Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic terpenoid carboxylic acid that can exert a potent hepatoprotective activity, has been developed into various types of nanoparticles to improve its pharmacological effects, however, the phagocytosis of nanoparticles by Kupffer cells greatly limits its efficacy. Herein, UA/Tween 80 nanovesicles (V-UA) were constructed and despite its simple composition, it fulfills multiple functions simultaneously: UA served as not only an active ingredient in the nanovesicle drug delivery system, but also acts as part of the carrier to stabilize UA/Tween 80 nanostructure; with a molar ratio of UA to Tween 80 up to 2:1, the formulation possesses a significant advantage of higher drug loading capacity; relative to liposomal UA (Lipo-UA), a conditional cellular uptake and higher accumulation of V-UA in hepatocytes provide insights into the hepatocytes targeting mechanisms of this nanovesicles. Favorable hepatocyte targeting ability also facilitates the treatment of liver diseases, which was well validated in three liver disease models.

The effectiveness of ursolic acid niosomes with chitosan coating for prevention of liver damage in mice induced by n-nitrosodiethylamine

Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpene carboxylic acid which produces various effects, including anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. However, UA demonstrates poor water solubility and permeability. Niosomes have been reported to improve the bioavailability of low water-soluble drugs. This study aimed to investigate the protective action of UA-niosomes with chitosan layers against liver damage induced by N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). UA niosomes were prepared using a thin layer hydration method, with chitosan being added by vortexing the mixtures. For the induction of liver damage, the mice were administered NDEA intraperitoneally (25 mg/kgBW). They were given niosomes orally (11 mg UA/kgBW) seven and three days prior to NDEA induction and subsequently once a week with NDEA induction for four weeks. The results showed that chitosan layers increased the particle sizes, PDI, and ζ-potentials of UA niosomes. UA niosomes with chitosan coating reduced the SGOT and SGPT level. The histopathological evaluation of liver tissue showed an improvement with reduced bile duct inflammation and decreasing pleomorphism and enlargement of hepatocyte cell nuclei in UA niosomes with the chitosan coating treated group. It can be concluded that UA niosomes with chitosan coating improved the efficacy of preventive UA therapy in liver-damaged mice induced with NDEA.

Biomimetic Red Blood Cell Membrane-Mediated Nanodrugs Loading Ursolic Acid for Targeting NSCLC Therapy

Simple Summary

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer after breast cancer. Non-small-cell lung cancer, which represents more than 85% of all lung cancer subtypes, is known for its tumor progression and metastasis, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Conventional therapies for NSCLC, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, always fail due to therapeutic resistance. In recent years, ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid compound, has been shown to be a promising antitumor drug by regulating multiple signaling pathways in cancers. Unfortunately, the poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and systemic toxicity of UA limit its clinical application. In this study, a biomimetic red blood cell membrane nanocarrier was developed to deliver UA to targeted tumor sites efficiently, and it inhibited tumor growth by inducing the apoptosis and autophagy of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract

As one of the most common cancers worldwide, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment always fails owing to the tumor microenvironment and resistance. UA, a traditional Chinese medicine, was reported to have antitumor potential in tumor models in vitro and in vivo, but showed impressive results in its potential application for poor water solubility. In this study, a novel biomimetic drug-delivery system based on UA-loaded nanoparticles (UaNPs) with a red blood cell membrane (RBCM) coating was developed. The RBCM-coated UANPs (UMNPs) exhibited improved water solubility, high stability, good biosafety, and efficient tumor accumulation. Importantly, the excellent antitumor efficiency of the UMNPs was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo in cancer models. In addition, we further investigated the antitumor mechanism of UMNPs. The results of Western blotting showed that UMNPs exerted an anticancer effect by inducing the apoptosis and autophagy of NSCLC cells, which makes it superior to free UA. In addition, body weight monitoring, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) analysis, and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis showed no significant difference between UMNPs and the control group, indicating the safety of UMNPs. Altogether, the preparation of biomimetic UMNPs provides a promising strategy to improve outcomes in NSCLC.