Supercritical-derived artemisinin microfibers and microparticles for improving anticancer effects

Poor solubility limits anticancer efficiency of Artemisinin (ART). Here, two types of micronized ART products were produced in one system, using supercritical CO 2 . ART microfibers (0.590 µm ± 0.160 µm) were obtained at a pressure of 25 MPa, temperature of 55 °C, and concentration of 4 mg/mL. ART microparticles (0.890 µm ± 0.610 µm) were obtained at a pressure of 20 MPa, temperature of 55 °C, and decompression time of 60 min. Importantly, the viabilities of U87 cells were 39.8% ± 2.33% and 35.3% ± 11.8%, respectively; while the viabilities of 4T1 cells were 46.2% ± 4.41% and 30.2% ± 3.74%, respectively, when treated with ART microfibers and microparticles, which could be explained by cell cycle arrest in the S phase associated with apoptotic cell induction. In conclusion, supercritical-derived ART microproducts showed improved anticancer effects.