| Background: Prostate cancer is known as the most common malignancy in men. Chitosan has generated
great interest as a useful biopolymer for the encapsulation of small interfering RNA (siRNA). Due to cationic
nature, chitosan is able to efficiently encapsulate siRNA molecules and form nanoparticles. Furthermore, the
biocompatible and biodegradable attributes of chitosan have paved the way for its potential application in
the in vivo delivery of therapeutic siRNAs. In this study, we aimed to design chitosan/CMD nanoparticles for
the efficient encapsulation of the anti-cancer drugs SN38 and Snail-specific siRNA.
Methods: Physicochemical characteristics, growth inhibitory properties, and anti-migratory capacities of the
dual delivery of SN38-Snail siRNA CMD-chitosan nanoparticles were investigated in prostate cancer cells.
Results: Our
findings provided evidence for the suggestion that, ChNP-CMD-SN38-siRNA treated cells, the
mRNA level of snail decreased from 1.00 to 0.30 (0.14) and 0.09 (0.04) after 24 h and 48 h, respectively.
Additionally, the fold induction of E-cadherin and Claudin-1 increased from 1.00 to now 3.12 (0.62), 3.02
(0.28) after 24 h and 5.6 (0.91), 4.42 (0.51) after 48 h, respectively. Also, co-delivery of SN38 and Snailspecific
siRNA by an appropriate nanocerrier (chitosan nanoparticles) could reduce the viability,
proliferation, and migration of PC-3 cells.
Conclusions: In conclusion, ChNPs encapsulating SN38 and Snail-specific siRNA may represent huge
potential as an effective anti-cancer drug delivery system for the treatment of prostate cancer. |