PLAROsomes as a modified liposomes delivery system for Mimosa pudica L. extract: Augmenting anticancer potential against prostate and skin cancer cell lines.

OBJECTIVE

PLAROsomes, a modified liposomal drug carrier system, were developed to overcome the major drawback of drug leakage in conventional liposomes. This study aimed to encapsulate Mimosa pudica L. extract (MIPA) within PLAROsomes to enhance anticancer efficacy against prostate (PC-3) and skin (B16F10) cancer cell lines.

METHOD: PLAROsomes were formulated using the thin-film hydration technique and characterized through infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA and DSC), particle size distribution, zeta potential measurement, and morphological assessment via SEM and TEM. Key formulation parameters, including encapsulation efficiency (%EE), drug loading capacity (%DLC), and drug release (%DR), were optimized for stability and efficacy. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Additionally, MIPA-loaded PLAROsomes were prepared without 2-methyl-resorcinol to assess its role in preventing drug leakage.

RESULTS

The optimized MIPA-loaded PLAROsomes had a particle size of 193.2±41.6nm, confirmed by TEM at 139±15nm. They exhibited higher encapsulation efficiency (83.45±0.45%) and drug loading (9.85%) compared to formulations without 2-methyl-resorcinol (74.56±0.65% EE and 8.80% DLC), indicating its stabilizing effect. Drug release followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, demonstrating a sustained profile. At 100μg/mL, MIPA-loaded PLAROsomes significantly reduced cell viability (52.22±1.54% in B16F10 and 45.57±0.80% in PC-3), outperforming the free extract.

CONCLUSION

MIPA-loaded PLAROsomes exhibit enhanced anticancer potential and could serve as an effective targeted therapy, warranting further clinical investigation.