Single-walled carbon nanotube and graphene nanodelivery of gambogic acid increases its cytotoxicity in breast and pancreatic cancer cells

J Appl Toxicol. 2014 Nov;34(11):1188-99. doi: 10.1002/jat.3018. Epub 2014 Sep 12.

Abstract

Graphene and single-walled carbon nanotubes were used to deliver the natural low-toxicity drug gambogic acid (GA) to breast and pancreatic cancer cells in vitro, and the effectiveness of this complex in suppressing cellular integrity was assessed. Cytotoxicity was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release, mitochondria dehydrogenase activity, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, DNA fragmentation, intracellular lipid content, and membrane permeability/caspase activity. The nanomaterials showed no toxicity at the concentrations used, and the antiproliferative effects of GA were significantly enhanced by nanodelivery. The results suggest that these complexes inhibit human breast and pancreatic cancer cells grown in vitro. This analysis represents a first step toward assessing their effectiveness in more complex, targeted, nanodelivery systems.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Cancer nanotechnology; Gambogic Acid; Graphene; Nanodelivery; Pancreatic cancer; Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms
  • Xanthones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Xanthones
  • Graphite
  • gambogic acid
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase