Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Microbiology/Immunology/Virology
Justin Harrison - Alabama State University
Co-Author(s): Mashunda Longmire, Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University; Sameer Joshi, Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University; Komal Vig, Center for NanoBiotechnology Research, Alabama State University
Purpose: Liposomes are tiny lipid vesicles with hydrophilic core. Liposomes due to their structural features can be used as a carrier of hydrophilic as well as lipophilic molecules. On the other hand genipin (GPN) is a naturally aglycon sourced from the gardenia plant (Yoo, Kim et al. 2011; Lin, Wu et al. 2013). In this project genipin encapsulated in liposomes will be tested against breast, colon and prostate cancer cells. Method: The lipsoomes were produced using the conventional thin film hydration method (Bangham, Standish et al. 1965). The drug genipin was dissolved along with the lipid in ethanol and using the rotary evaporator the ethanol was then evaporated to form a thin lipid film. This lipid film was then hydrated using phosphate buffered saline (PBS) which resulted in formation of multilamellar vesicle (MLV). The MLV suspension was then subjected to probe sonication to produce small unilamellar vesicles (SUV). The size, size distribution and surface charge was analyzed using Malvern zetasizer-ZS. The percent encapsulation of genipin was then determined using the UV-Visible spectrophotometer at 242 nm wavelength. The efficacy of genipin alone and genipin encapsulated liposomes was tested against MDB-MA 231 cell lines. Results: It was observed that upon sonication the size of empty liposomes was 130 nm (± 1 nm, n=3) and no significant difference was observed after encapsulation of genipin as the size of liposome found was 105 nm ± (10 nm, n=3). There was no charge observed on the liposomes (0.0 ± 10) before or after encapsulation of genipin. Passive encapsulation of lipophilic drug usually results in less than 50 % encapsulation and in case of genipin it was 28.2 % (± 0.2 %, n=3). During initial sturdies the efficacy of these genipin encapsulated liposomes was tested against MDB-MA 231 cell lines and it was found that the liposome encapsulated genipin is remarkably efficient than genipin alone. Conclusion: The initial result suggest successful encapsulation of genipin into the liposomes. Also, the study performed against MDB-MA 231 cell lines suggest that liposomal encapsulation could bring remarkable difference in efficacy of genipin instead of using it alone. However, the further stage of this project would include testing these genipin encapsulated liposomes against other cancer cells such as breast, colon and prostate.
Abstract- Justin-ERN-2018.docxFunder Acknowledgement(s): The research was funded by Center for NanoBiotechnology Research (CNBR), Alabama State University under the The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) program.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Komal Vig, komalvig@alasu.edu
Role: The drug genipin was dissolved along with the lipid in ethanol and using the rotary evaporator the ethanol was then evaporated to form a thin lipid film. This lipid film was then hydrated using phosphate buffered saline (PBS) which resulted in formation of multilamellar vesicle (MLV). The MLV suspension was then subjected to probe sonication to produce small unilamellar vesicles (SUV). The size, size distribution and surface charge was analyzed using Malvern zetasizer-ZS. The percent encapsulation of genipin was then determined using the UV-Visible spectrophotometer at 242 nm wavelength.