Ameliorative Effect of Curcumin-Encapsulated Hyaluronic Acid–PLA Nanoparticles on Thioacetamide-Induced Murine Hepatic Fibrosis

Yu-Nong Chen, Shih-Lan Hsu, Ming-Yuan Liao, Yi-Ting Liu, Chien-Hung Lai, Ji-Feng Chen, Mai-Huong Thi Nguyen, Yung-Hsiang Su, Shang-Ting Chen and Li-Chen Wu
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Yu-Nong Chen: Department Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Puli 545, Taiwan
Shih-Lan Hsu: Department Medical Education & Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan
Ming-Yuan Liao: Department Chemistry, College of Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
Yi-Ting Liu: Department Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Puli 545, Taiwan
Chien-Hung Lai: Department Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Puli 545, Taiwan
Ji-Feng Chen: Department Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Puli 545, Taiwan
Mai-Huong Thi Nguyen: Department Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Puli 545, Taiwan
Yung-Hsiang Su: Department Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Puli 545, Taiwan
Shang-Ting Chen: Department Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Puli 545, Taiwan
Li-Chen Wu: Department Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Puli 545, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: In this study, we developed curcumin-encapsulated hyaluronic acid–polylactide nanoparticles (CEHPNPs) to be used for liver fibrosis amelioration. CD44, the hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor, is upregulated on the surface of cancer cells and on activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) rather than normal cells. CEHPNPs could bind to CD44 and be internalized effectively through endocytosis to release curcumin, a poor water-soluble liver protective agent. Thus, CEHPNPs were potentially not only improving drug efficiency, but also targeting aHSCs. HA and polylactide (PLA) were crosslinked by adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH). The synthesis of HA–PLA was monitored by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The average particle size was approximately 60–70 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Zeta potential was around ?30 mV, which suggested a good stability of the particles. This drug delivery system induced significant aHSC cell death without affecting quiescent HSCs, hepatic epithelial, and parenchymal cells. This system reduced drug dosage without sacrificing therapeutic efficacy. The cytotoxicity IC 50 (inhibitory concentration at 50%) value of CEHPNPs was approximately 1/30 to that of the free drug treated group in vitro. Additionally, the therapeutic effects of CEHPNPs were as effective as the group treated with the same curcumin dose intensity in vivo. CEHPNPs significantly reduced serum aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase (ALT/AST) significantly, and attenuated tissue collagen production and cell proliferation as revealed by liver biopsy. Conclusively, the advantages of superior biosafety and satisfactory therapeutic effect mean that CEHPNPs hold great potential for treating hepatic fibrosis.

Keywords: hyaluronic acid; curcumin; nanoparticle; hepatic stellate cells; liver fibrosis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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