Folic acid-functionalized tea polyphenol as a tumor-targeting nano-drug delivery system

Abstract Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is the main component of green tea which can strongly bind to proteins, small molecular drugs, and DNA. Therefore, EGCG can be used to deliver bioactive macromolecular and drugs. In this study, a doxorubicin (DOX) delivery system (FPE/DOX NPs) based on the folic acid-functionalized epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was developed for the targeting therapy of ovarian cancer. Cellular uptake studies showed that FPE/DOX NPs enhanced DOX uptake by SKOV3 cells compared with PE/DOX NPs that without folic acid modification. In vitro, the toxicity of FPE/DOX NPs to SKOV3 cells was stronger than nanoparticles without folic acid modification. In vivo, the SKOV3 tumor growth inhibition effect of FPE/DOX NPs was substantially more effective than other groups. Together, the results of this study suggest that FPE/DOX NPs may have promising applications in ovarian cancer therapy.