Novel cell-penetrating peptides self-assemble into ellipsoid-shape nanostructures which amplified the apoptotic stimuli by weakening the VDAC1–HK-II interaction.

Multidrug delivery devices are designed to take advantage of the synergistic effects of anticancer agents in combination therapies. Here we report novel liquid crystalline self-assembled nanocarriers enhancing the activity of the phytochemical anticancer agent baicalin (BAI) in combination with Brucea javanica oil (BJO), which ensures safe formulations for clinical applications. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) evidenced the multicompartment, sponge-type nano-organization of the blank and multidrug-loaded liquid crystalline carriers. Physico-chemical stability of the sponge nanoparticles was achieved through PEGylation of the lipid membranes, which make up the drug nanocarriers. The proposed green nanotechnology for nanocarrier preparation by supramolecular self-assembly provided a multidrug encapsulation efficiency as high as 75%. The apoptosis study with the human lung carcinoma cell line A549 demonstrated improved efficacy of the multidrug delivery nanocarriers in comparison to the single-drug reservoirs. The obtained results evidenced the synergistic anticancer apoptotic effects of the multidrug-loaded nanosponge carriers and suggested the opportunity for in vivo translation towards the treatment of lung, gastrointestinal, and ovarian cancers.