Development and characterization of a temozolomide-loaded nanoemulsion and the effect of ferrocene pre and co-treatments in glioblastoma cell models

Jeferson Gustavo Henn, Matheus Bernardes Ferro, Gabriel Antonio Lopes Alves, Flávia Pires Peña, João Vitor Raupp de Oliveira, Bárbara Müller de Souza, Leonardo Fonseca da Silva, Victória Rapack Jacinto Silva, Ana Carolina Silva Pinheiro, Luiza Steffens Reinhardt, Ana Moira Morás, Michael Nugent, Ricardo Gomes da Rosa, Tanira Alessandra Silveira Aguirre, Dinara Jaqueline Moura

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Glioblastoma is a severe brain tumor that requires aggressive treatment involving surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, offering a survival rate of only 15 months. Fortunately, recent nanotechnology progress has enabled novel approaches and, alongside ferrocenes’ unique properties of cytotoxicity, sensitization, and interaction with reactive oxygen species, have brought new possibilities to complement chemotherapy in nanocarrier systems, enhancing treatment results. Methods: In this work, we developed and characterized a temozolomide-loaded nanoemulsion and evaluated its cytotoxic potential in combination with ferrocene in the temozolomide-resistant T98G and temozolomide-sensitive U87 cell lines. The effects of the treatments were assessed through acute assays of cell viability, cell death, mitochondrial alterations, and a treatment protocol simulation based on different two-cycle regimens. Results: Temozolomide nanoemulsion showed a z-average diameter of 173.37 ± 0.86 nm and a zeta potential of – 6.53 ± 1.13 mV. Physicochemical characterization revealed that temozolomide is probably associated with nanoemulsion droplets instead of being entrapped within the nanostructure, allowing a rapid drug release. In combination with ferrocene, temozolomide nanoemulsion reduced glioblastoma cell viability in both acute and two-cycle regimen assays. The combined treatment approach also reversed T98G’s temozolomide-resistant profile by altering the mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells, thus increasing reactive oxygen species generation, and ultimately inducing cell death. Conclusions: Altogether, our results indicate that using nanoemulsion containing temozolomide in combination with ferrocene is an effective approach to improve glioblastoma therapy outcomes. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1597-1609
Number of pages13
JournalPharmacological Reports
Volume75
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

Keywords

  • Drug delivery system
  • Ferrocene
  • Glioblastoma
  • Nanoemulsion
  • Temozolomide

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