Polyethylenimine and Sodium cholate-modified Ethosomes Complex As Multidrug Carriers for the Treatment of Melanoma Through Transdermal Delivery

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> Multidrug resistance is the main reason for the failure of chemotherapy during the treatment of the tumor. To overcome multidrug resistance, this study attempts to develop a novel transdermal drug-delivery system (TDDS) loading cytotoxic drug and chemosensitizer. <b>Materials & methods:</b> The polyethylenimine-modified ethosomes (Eth^-PEI) and sodium cholate-modified ethosomes (Eth^-SC) were firstly fabricated, and then a novel TDDS based on the carriers complex of Eth^-PEI/Eth^-SC was prepared by electrostatic interaction and evaluated both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. <b>Results:</b> The Eth^-PEI/Eth^-SC showed the excellent antitumor effect on treating melanoma, using doxorubicin and curcumin as the cytotoxic drug and chemosensitizer, respectively. <b>Conclusion:</b> The as-prepared TDDS composed of Eth^-PEI/Eth^-SC loading multidrug is an effective means for treating melanoma.