Mistletoe and Garlic Extracts as Polyurethane Carriers – A Possible Remedy for Choroidal Melanoma

Title:Mistletoe and Garlic Extracts as Polyurethane Carriers – A Possible Remedy for Choroidal Melanoma

Volume: 14 Issue: 8

Author(s): Melania F. Munteanu, Aurel Ardelean, Florin Borcan*, Svetlana I. Trifunschi*, Ramona Gligor, Simona A. Ardelean, Dorina Coricovac, Iulia Pinzaru, Florina Andrica and Livia-Cristina Borcan

Affiliation:

• Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara,Romania

• Faculty of General Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine, “Vasile Goldis” University, Arad, Arad,Romania

Keywords: A375 cells, drug delivery, DSC, HPLC, mesenchymal stem cells, Zeta potential.

Abstract: Background: Melanoma is known as the most dangerous form of skin cancer; whereas the malignant choroidal melanoma is an orphan disease known as the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Literature suggests that the consumption of garlic and mistletoe leads to a reduced risk of developing cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was the obtaining and the characterization of polymer structures containing mistletoe or garlic extract.

Methods: The structures were obtained in a polyaddition process combined with a spontaneous emulsification; they were characterized by pH, size, Zeta potential and DSC measurements, evaluation of encapsulation efficacy, penetrability through membranes and in vitro cytotoxicity tests.

Results: The microstructures present sizes between 1.05 and 2.60 µm and Zeta potentials between -7 and +36 mV. A good encapsulation was observed on different evaluations (88-92%). It was determined that approx. 30% of polymer microstructures containing vegetal extracts pass through an artificial membrane in 4 days. An in vitro cytotoxicity test revealed that these products are safe for administration. The analysis of antitumor efficacy indicates that garlic extracts have important effects after 48 and 72 hours on A375 cells; however, polymer microstructures with herbal extracts did not reveal antiproliferative activities on A375 cells because these polymer structures present a slow degradation.

Conclusion: Sterile eye drops solutions based on polymer microstructures containing garlic or mistletoe extracts were obtained; the sample based on garlic extracts may be used in the pharmaceutical field as drug carrier with an antiproliferative effect which occurs after a prolong period.

Cite this article as:

Munteanu F. Melania, Ardelean Aurel, Borcan Florin*, Trifunschi I. Svetlana*, Gligor Ramona, Ardelean A. Simona, Coricovac Dorina, Pinzaru Iulia, Andrica Florina and Borcan Livia-Cristina, Mistletoe and Garlic Extracts as Polyurethane Carriers – A Possible Remedy for Choroidal Melanoma, Current Drug Delivery 2017; 14 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567201814666170126113231