Erythrocyte membrane encapsulated gambogic acid nanoparticles as a therapeutic for hepatocellular carcinoma

Gambogic acid (GA) is a potential clinical anticancer drug that can exert antitumor effects via various molecular mechanisms. Notwithstanding, GA's low water solubility, poor stability, short half-life, and un-avoidable toxic side effects have significantly hampered its clinical application. Erythrocyte membrane-coated nanoparticles (RBCM-NPs) improve drug's physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and phar-macokinetic behaviors, allowing for long-term drug circulation and passive targeting. In this study, a novel biomimetic drug delivery system (DDS) against hepatocellular carcinoma was prepared by covering RBCM on GPP-NPs (GA-loaded mPEG-PLA NPs) to develop the RBC@GPP-NPs. In comparison to RBCM-free nanoparticles and free GA, RBC@GPP-NPs improved the drug's water solubility, stability, safety, and anti-tumor activity in vivo. We expect that this bionic nanoparticle composite can expand the clinical applica-bility of GA and provide a feasible solution for the research and development of GA's nano-formulation.& COPY; 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.