Poly(lactic acid hydroxyacetic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-modified ginsenoside Rg3 nanomedicine enhances anti-tumor effect in hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE This research aim to improve bioavailability and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) efficacy of Ginsenoside Rg3 by modification with poly (lactic acid hydroxyacetic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG). METHODS PLGA-PEG-Rg3 was obtained by emulsification and evaluated it physiochemical characterization by FTIR, SEM, laser particle-size analyser and HPLC. The effect of the PLGA-PEG-Rg3 and Rg3 on HepG2 cells was compared in vitro studies, including cell proliferation, transwell and a series of apoptosis detection, and in-situ HCC model. RESULTS The PLGA-PEG-Rg3 were 122 nm in size and 0.112 in polydispersity index with sustained release profile in vitro. Compared to Rg3, PLGA-PEG-Rg3 was more effective in suppressing HepG2 growth and inducing apoptosis by mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in vitro. and PLGA-PEG modification enhanced the liver-targeting ability and drug circulation time of Rg3 in vivo, resulting in PLGA-PEG-Rg3 possessed superior performance in inhibiting tumor growth and prolonging survival time of tumor-bearing mice than Rg3. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results showed PLGA-PEG-Rg3 enhanced anti-tumor effect of Rg3 in HCC.