Gemcitabine Co-Encapsulated with Curcumin in Folate Decorated PLGA Nanoparticles; a Novel Approach to Treat Breast Adenocarcinoma

Purpose Curcumin (CUR), an antioxidant with p-glycoprotein inhibiting activity may be encapsulated with gemcitabine (GEM) as nanosuspension to enhance its anticancer potentiality synergistically. Methods Folate conjugated single (CUR/GEM) and dual (CUR + GEM) drug-loaded nanoformulations were prepared and evaluated for P-glycoprotein-1 (pgy-1) gene resistance, followed by in vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity assay in cells. The in vivo biodistribution and scintigraphic imaging was done after radiolabeling the nanoparticles with 99m Technetium (99 m Tc). The tumor inhibition study was conducted in nude mice bearing MDA-MB-231 xenografts. Results The folate conjugated dual drug formulations (FCGNPs) gave better results in suppressing the pgy-1 gene and also showed higher cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. The radiolabeled nanoformulations were highly stable and FCGNPs showed higher accumulation in the MDA-MB-231 tumor region than folate unconjugated dual drug NPs (CGNPs) as evidenced by scintigraphic imaging and biodistribution studies. The in vivo therapeutic efficacy of FCGNPs was higher compared to unconjugated and respective single-drug formulations. Conclusion Two drugs in one platform lower breast adenocarcinoma by lowering drug resistance and improving cytotoxic effects.