Huiyun Zhang, Shunru Wei, Yunfei Hu, Yu Zhang, Hao Yao, Gang Qi, Michael Adu-Frimpong, Congyong Sun
BACKGROUND: Bufalin (BFL, an active anti-tumor compound derived from toad venom ) is limited in its application due to high toxicity and rapid metabolism of the cardiotonic steroid. Ester prodrug self-assembly nanoparticles have shown significant improved effects in addressing the above-mentioned issues. METHODS: An ester bond was formed between linoleic acid and bufalin to synthesize linoleic acid-bufalin prodrug (LeB). The self-assembly nanoparticles (LeB-PSNs) containing different mass ratios of DSPE-PEG2k and prodrug (6:4, 7:3, 8:2, 9:1 and 10:0) were prepared via co-precipitation method and defined as 6:4-PSNs, 7:3-PSNs, 8:2-PSNs, 9:1-PSNs and LeB-PSNs, respectively...
2024: International Journal of Nanomedicine