Preparation of RGD-modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin and its targeted anti-melanoma effects

• DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1573628
• Publication Date: 2025-05-27T04:10:45Z
• Authors: Hao Zhang; Ying Zhao; Tingting Chen; Xinliang Mao; Jiping Li; Li Fan; Min Li; Xianchun Wen

Melanoma is the most aggressive skin tumor, and conventional treatment ineffective. Studies have shown that shikonin, derived from traditional Chinese medicine Lithospermum erythrorhizon , has various anticancer activities. In this work, RGD- modified liposomes encapsulated with shikonin (RGD-Lip-SHK) were prepared by thin- film dispersion, which could highly recognize integrin α V β 3 on surface of melanoma cells. RGD-Lip-SHK appeared as spheroid-like vesicles a particle size approximately 120 nm, its ξ-potential was negative. remained stable in serum within 48 h possessed sustained-release effect. vitro compared non -targeted (Lip-SHK), more efficiently taken up, had higher cytotoxicity, better targeted to inhibit cell growth, migration, invasion, boost apoptosis regulating expression Bcl-2 Bax proteins vivo strongest anti-melanoma effect -mediated endocytosis long circulation time inhibited tumor growth B16F10 tumor-bearing mice other groups. Furthermore, histology major organs body weight showed less toxicity. summary, these results indicated great potential for melanoma, expected become novel effective strategy tumor-targeted therapy.