Menthol-modified paclitaxel multifunctional cationic liposomes cross the blood-brain barrier and target glioma stem cells for treatment of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most malignant glioma of the central nervous system, as the presence of cerebral glioma stem cells and the blood-brain barrier hamper its treatment. Menthol can improve blood-brain barrier permeability. Cationic liposomes can interact with negatively charged macromolecules on tumor neovascular endothelial cells to produce passive targeting. Ginsenoside Rh2 can replace cholesterol to make liposomes more stable. Paclitaxel has an excellent antitumor effect. Therefore, in this study, menthol-modified paclitaxel cationic liposomes were constructed to cross the blood-brain barrier and targeted the tumor, to achieve safe and effective treatment of glioblastoma. We discovered that the addition of DC-chol liposomes can enhance the uptake of C6 glioma stem cells, promote the apoptosis of C6 glioma stem cells and inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells in vitro. We found that targeted liposomes could cross the blood-brain barrier and target tumor sites to induce tumor cell apoptosis in vivo. In brief, menthol-modified paclitaxel cationic liposomes offer a safer approach to the treatment of glioblastoma.