Astaxanthin (ASX) Nanoparticles Targeted Delivery to Cancer (Caco-2) Cell Lines Approach of Marine Metabolites Anticancer Activity: Improved Bioavailability for In Vitro Targeting of Anti-Apoptotic Mechanism

Abstract

In present study, Polyvinylpyrollidone(PVP)/Chitosan microencapsulation method was developed to create ASX-loaded-NPs for the better delivery and release control of ASX(Astaxanthin). The best performing encapsulation results (loading efficiency of 98.10±0.29%) were obtained at a ASX:PVP/Chitosan ratio of 1:1. The ASX-PVP/Chitosan-NPs provided protection for the ASX to improve its stability as well as bioavailability. Both the MTT assay and the evaluation of the intracellular ROS levels showed that the ASX-PVP/Chitosan-NPs enhanced the transport of ASX into Caco-2 cells, which was pro-oxidative in cells under oxidative stress and could induce more cell death. Potentially, the ASX-PVP-NPs could be used to promote ROS-triggered apoptosis in cancer cells to serve as a targeted cancer treatment. The objectives of this work were two-fold: (1) to encapsulate ASX in PVP passivated ASX-PVP/Chitosan-NPs to improve the solubility and stability of ASX and (2) to characterize effects of ASX-PVP-NPs on H2O2-induced cell damage and cell death in Caco-2 cells.