Niosome-encapsulated auraptene reduced the mRNA expression of VEGF-A and PDGFs genes in human retinaderived RPE cell line

AIM:To evaluate the effect of auraptene(AUR)treatment in forms of free and encapsulated in niosome nanoparticles by investigating the mRNA expression level of vascular endothelium growth factor(VEGF)-A and platelet-derived growth factors(PDGFs)in human retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cell line.METHODS:Niosome nanocarriers were produced using two surfactants Span 60 and Tween 80.RPE cell line was treated with both free AUR and niosome-encapsulated.Optimum dosage of treatments was calculated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay.Expression of VEGF-A and PDGF-A,PDGF-B,PDGF-C,PDGF-D genes was measured after total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis,using real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).RESULTS:The highest entrapment efficiency(EE)was achieved by Span 60:cholesterol(1:1)with 64.3%.The half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of free and niosome-encapsulated AUR were 38.5 and 27.78µg/mL,respectively.Release study revealed that niosomal AUR had more gradual delivery to the cells.RT-PCR results showed reduced expression levels of VEGF-A,PDGF-A,PDGF-B,PDGF-C,and PDGF-D after treatment with both free and niosomal AUR.CONCLUSION:Niosomal formulation of Span 60:cholesterol(1:1)is an effective drug delivery approach to transfer AUR to RPE cells.VEGF-A,PDGF-A,PDGF-B,PDGF-C,and PDGF-D are four angiogenic factors,inhibiting which by niosomal AUR may be effective in age-related macular degeneration.

Impact of umbelliprenin-containing niosome nanoparticles on VEGF-A and CTGF genes expression in retinal pigment epithelium cells

AIM:To investigate the impact of niosome nanoparticles carrying umbelliprenin(UMB),an anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory plant compound,on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF-A)and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)genes in a human retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)-like retina-derived cell line.METHODS:UMB-containing niosomes were created,optimized,and characterized.RPE-like cells were treated with free UMB and UMB-containing niosomes.The IC_(50)values of the treatments were determined using an MTT assay.Gene expression of VEGF-A and CTGF was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction after RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis.Niosomes’characteristics,including drug entrapment efficiency,size,dispersion index,and zeta potential were assessed.Free UMB had an IC_(50)of 96.2μg/mL,while UMB-containing niosomes had an IC_(50)of 25μg/mL.RESULTS:Treatment with UMB-containing niosomes and free UMB resulted in a significant reduction in VEGF-A expression compared to control cells(P=0.001).Additionally,UMB-containing niosomes demonstrated a significant reduction in CTGF expression compared to control cells(P=0.05).However,there was no significant reduction in the expression of both genes in cells treated with free UMB.CONCLUSION:Both free UMB and niosome-encapsulated UMB inhibits VEGF-A and CTGF genes expression.However,the latter demonstrates significantly greater efficacy,potentially due to the lower UMB dosage and gradual delivery.These findings have implications for anti-angiogenesis therapeutic approaches targeting age-related macular degeneration.