Co-delivery of vinorelbine and rutin by lipid polymer nanoparticles for enhanced liver cancer chemotherapy

The purpose of this study was to develop a lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticle (LPNs) for the codelivery of Vinorelbine (VBL) and Rutin (RUT) for the treatment of hepatic carcinoma. The VBL loaded LPNs (VBL-LPNs), and VBL and RUT loaded LPNs (VBL-RUT-LPNs) were prepared using PLGA (polymer) and dynasan 114 (lipid) by probe sonication and high pressure homogenization method. The VBL-LPNs and VBL-RUT-LPNs exhibited a particle size (260 ± 5.40 and 298 ± 3.51 nm), PDI (0.312 ± 0.03 and 0.286 ± 0.03), ZP (−18.8 ± 2.60 and −19.8 ± 2.70 mV), EE (73.7 ± 1.52 and 77.9 ± 2.19 %) and LC (2.3 ± 0.49 and 2.5 ± 0.73 %), respectively. In-vitro release studies exhibited a sustained release patter for 48 h, with korsmayer peppas kinetics model. No significant changes in VBL-LPNs and VBL-RUT-LPNs was confirmed by stability studies. As compared to free VBL and VBL-LPNs, we observed increased cytotoxicity and lowered inhibitory concentration IC₅₀ in HepG2 cells treated with VBL-RUT-LPNs, indicating the synergistic effects of VBL and RUT. The VBL-RUT-LPNs also upregulated caspase 3 and downregulated Bcl-2, indicating a successful apoptosis. When combined, VBL and RUT are delivered concurrently by VBL-RUT-LPNs, which may offer a promising treatment for hepatic carcinoma.