Photodynamic effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid-loaded nanoparticles on bladder cancer cells: A preliminary investigation

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the photodynamic effect of nanoparticles loaded with a photosensitizing nanomedicine, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), on T24 bladder cancer cells in vitro. Material and methods. The nanoprecipitation technique was successfully used to prepare the drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles. The drug loading rate and the drug loading efficiency were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The size and morphology of nanoparticles were detected using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity to T24 bladder cancer cells was assessed by coincubating 5-ALA-loaded nanoparticles of different concentrations with T24 bladder cancer cells. The cell growth inhibitory rate was measured after irradiation by a 650 nm wavelength diode laser. Results. The drug loading rate of 5-ALA-loaded nanoparticles was 7% with a loading efficiency of 85%. The T24 cell growth inhibitory rates after incubation with 5.0, 10.0, 25.0 and 50.0 μg/ml 5-ALA-loaded nanoparticles were 73.19%, 79.95%, 83.86% and 89.74%, respectively, which demonstrated significantly higher cytotoxicity than those in the empty nanoparticle groups and 5-ALA free drug groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions. 5-ALA-loaded nanoparticles were successfully prepared and had a significantly enhanced photodynamic tumoricidal effect on bladder cancer cells in vitro.