Effect of Curcumin-loaded Polystyrene Nanoparticles on Inhibiting the Generation of Lymphatic Vessels in Gastric Cancer Nude Mice Under Hypoxic Microenvironment

Background: In the treatment of gastric cancer, lymphangiogenesis under a hypoxic microenvironment has always been a current research hotspot. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the mechanism of curcumin-loaded polystyrene nanoparticles (CUR/PS NPs) inhibiting the generation of lymphatic vessels in a hypoxic microenvironment of gastric cancer nude mice by interfering with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling and reducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Materials and Methods: CUR/PS NPs were prepared, a gastric cancer nude mouse transplanted tumor model was established, and the A549 group, Cu B group, and the Cu B-NPs group were set up to explore the molecular mechanism of Cu B-NPs in regulating autophagy and inhibiting the development of lung cancer; in addition, the Cu B-NPs+si-BECN1 group and the Cu B-NPs+pc-BECN1 group were used to analyze whether Cu B-NPs regulate autophagy through Beclin-1 (BECN1) to inhibit the development of lung cancer. Results: (a) A subcutaneous transplanted tumor model was successfully constructed, a CUR/PS NPs composite material was successfully prepared, and the composite material had good dispersion stability. (a) CUR/PS NPs can significantly inhibit the formation of lymphatic vessels in the hypoxic microenvironment of gastric cancer nude mice transplanted tumors, and have an inhibitory effect on the development of gastric cancer. (c) CUR/PS NPs can inhibit the formation of lymphatic vessels in the hypoxic microenvironment of gastric cancer nude mice transplanted tumors by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, thereby delaying gastric cancer progression. Conclusion: This study successfully prepared CUR/PS NPs, and the particles can reduce the expression of VEGF by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, thereby inhibiting the generation of lymphatic vessels in the hypoxic microenvironment of gastric cancer nude mice, delaying cancer progression.