Antioxidant nanoparticles for pathological angiogenesis inhibition: obtaining and in vivo CAM model evaluation

Abstract

Introduction. With an increasing incidence among young people, cancer is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Lately, many studies have been conducted to investigate the connection between antioxidants and pathological angiogenesis. In this context, the use of antioxidants in the form of nanoparticles could improve the efficiency of this therapy due to specific surface area of nanostructures, thereby ensuring a better contact with cells which would increase the chances of pathological angiogenesis inhibition. Aim of the study. In addition to the existing results, the purpose of the present work is to develop new nanoparticles based on chitosan low molecular weight derivatives for cancer therapy, taking into account not only their role as carriers but their action itself: the antioxidant potential which is benefical in inhibiting angiogenesis, as discussed above. Materials and methods. As a continuation of previous studies, carried out on chitosan, this paper purpose has as starting point the use of four previously obtained chitosan derivatives, note here with CLA, CLB, CLC and CLD, to obtain innovative nanoparticles formulations by ionic reticulation using as cross-linking agent sodium tri-polyphosphate (STPP). The infrared measurements were acquired with a Bruker ALPHA FT-IR spectrophotometer, in the spectral region of 4000-500 cm-1. For biological evaluation, in vivo CAM model was used, to assess the antiangiogenetic activity of chitosan derivatives nanoparticles. Results. In the spectrum of chitosan nanoparticles as well as that of its functionalized derivatives (CLA-CLD), the characteristic bands have been identified. In connection with biological evaluation, all four types of nanoparticles resulted in reduced angiogenesis, but the maximum effect was observed in CLC and CLD cases, with significant decrease of vascular support. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that chitosan derivatives nanoparticles strongly enhances the therapeutic effect of chitosan and the use of appropriate nanostructures, capable of overcoming biological barriers, could be an important strategy for future antitumor therapy. Funding: This work was supported by a grant of Ministry of Research and Innovation, CNCS - UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2016- 0233, within PNCDI III. (Contract No. PD 144/2018).”