Vitamin E TPGS-emulsified poly-ε-caprolactone nanoparticles increase curcumin in vitro cytotoxic effect and inhibitory metastatic characteristics in prostate cancer cells

Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenol obtained from Curcuma longa L., possesses promising properties for prostate cancer (PCa) treatment. The use of polymeric nanoparticles containing the surfactant D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) can improve the aqueous solubility and low bioavailability of CUR, in addition to increasing the drug/nanoparticles accumulation at tumor sites. Thus, the present work aims to develop poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles containing TPGS loaded with CUR (CUR-NP) and evaluate their antitumor activities, in vitro activity, against two different PCa cell lines (PC-3 and DU-145). The nanoparticles used were smaller than 200 nm. They are homogeneously distributed by DLS and NTA, with a zeta potential of −30 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 88 %, and maintaining stability for 90 days of analysis. In the Fourier Transform Infrared, CUR, polymer, and TPGS characteristic bands were observed in CUR-NP. In addition, CUR-NP demonstrated controlled release in vitro with 98 % in 48 h in PBS pH 7.4 + 1 % Tween® 80. In the in vitro biological assays, CUR-NP demonstrated greater cell uptake potential for PC-3 cells than for DU-145 cells and more potent cytotoxic activity than free CUR in a dose and time-dependent manner. CUR-NP reduced cell adhesion capabilities in both PCa cells, in addition to good inhibitory action cell migration and invasion for the DU-145 PCa cell. However, the CUR-NP did not inhibit cell invasion for PC-3 cells. These promising results may contribute to the search for alternative substances associated with nanotechnology that are active against PCa cells.