Figure 9.
Cellular uptake mechanism of the nanoformulations in SK-OV-3 cells in the presence of specific inhibitors (ie, 15 µM Filipin III and 30 µM Chlorpromazine). After pre-incubation with the inhibitors, the cells were then incubated with mTHPC loaded formulations (mTHPC-LP & LCNP) or free mTHPC (dissolved in DMSO) at a concentration of 1.5 μM as well the THP loaded formulations (THP NP 200 nm and LCNP) or free THP (dissolved in DMSO) at a concentration equivalent to 50 μM for 4 h. The irradiation was performed at a light dose of 0.5 Jcm−2 (for mTHPC loaded formulations). The viability of untreated cells was considered as 100%. Blank represents cells without any inhibitor. Values are represented as the mean ± SD for three independent experiments. P values (p < 0.05) were considered significant and expressed as ***p< 0.001.