Morphological and physicochemical characterization of liposomes loading cucurbitacin E, an anti-proliferative natural tetracyclic triterpene

作者：Habib Lamice; Jraij Alia; Khreich Nathalie; Fessi Hatem; Charcosset Catherine; Greige Gerges Helene^*

来源：Chemistry and Physics of Lipids, 2014, 177: 64-70.

DOI：10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2013.11.006

• Cucurbitacin E
• Liposomes
• Differential scanning calorimetry
• Atomic force microscopy
• Transmission electron microscopy

Cucurbitacin E (Cuc E), an oxygenated triterpene molecule, has demonstrated anti-proliferative effect on various cancer cells. Here, we examined the effect of Cuc Eon the membrane morphology and properties using differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy techniques. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles were prepared by the thin film hydration method in the absence and presence of Cuc Eat molar ratios 100:12 and 100:20. The loading efficiency of Cuc E was found to be higher than 98% upon HPLC analysis. The thermodynamic parameters suggest that Cuc E does not penetrate into the bilayers and interacts with the polar/apolar interface of the lipid membranes. Blank and Cuc E loaded liposomes prepared from a mixture of DPPC/DPPE/DPPG/Cho were imaged by TEM and AFM. Images obtained by TEM revealed unilamellar liposomes for blank and Cuc E loaded liposomes. AFM images showed that the size and the height of Cuc E loaded liposomes were respectively smaller and higher than blank ones. Results suggest that Cuc E produces modifications in the lipid membrane structures.

• 出版日期2014-1