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image of An Exosome-Liposome Hybrid Platform for Celastrol Delivery Enhances Anti-Tumor Efficacy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction

Celastrol (CEL), a promising agent for HCC treatment, is greatly restricted in clinical use because of its extremely low water solubility and high systemic toxicity. Novel delivery to enhance its therapeutic index is a key challenge.

Methods

This study constructed a novel biomimetic hybrid nanodelivery system (CEL-Lipo-Exo) by the fusion of CEL-encapsulated liposome (CEL-Lipo) with exosomes derived from immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells. The and physicochemistry, anti-tumor efficacy, and toxicomechanistic properties of the nanoparticles were systematically characterized.

Results

The resulting CEL-Lipo-Exo nanoparticle system showed uniform size distribution (100 nm), preserved essential features of exosomes, and high loading capacity (EE75%). , CEL-Lipo-Exo more efficiently suppressed HCC cell growth and reduced cell migration and invasion, as well as caused greater apoptosis than free CEL and control liposomes. , the CEL-Lipo-Exo demonstrated the strongest inhibitory activities against tumors and completely abolished free CEL-induced systemic toxicity.

Discussion

The efficacy of converting a potent but cytotoxic natural compound to an effective nontoxic drug can be enhanced using the exosome-liposome hybrid concept. Utilizing the exosome shell as a biological camouflage, this platform surmounts the major barriers of celastrol for clinical application, thereby suggesting that biomimetic nanomedicine could be a solution for challenging drug candidates.

Conclusion

This CEL-Lipo-Exo nanoplatform is a very promising approach for the seeking of “safe and efficient” carriers of celastrol, suggesting an emerging target strategy for HCC therapy.

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2026-03-05
2026-03-08

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An Exosome-Liposome Hybrid Platform for Celastrol Delivery Enhances Anti-Tumor Efficacy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Bentham Science Publishers ; https://doi.org/10.2174/0115680266458007260203102253
/content/journals/ctmc/10.2174/0115680266458007260203102253
/content/journals/ctmc/10.2174/0115680266458007260203102253
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keywords: Exosome-liposome hybrid ; Drug delivery ; Anti-cancer drug ; HCC ; CEL ; Biomimetic nanomedicine

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