Synthesis of Doxorubicin loaded magnetic chitosan nanoparticles for pH responsive targeted drug delivery

Liposome preparation of alpha-arbutin: stability and toxicity assessment using mouse B16F10 melanoma cells

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, with few therapeutic alternatives following metastasis development. In recent years, drug delivery-associated nanotechnology has shown promising targeted results with diminished adverse effects compared to conventional treatments. This study aimed to (1) examine the effects of plant-derived α-arbutin, a natural compound and (2) compare these findings with bioactively developed liposomes containing α-arbutin utilizing the B16-F10 murine melanoma cell line as a model. Liposomes were obtained through reversed-phase evaporation by applying a spray dryer to assess their stability. The following biologic assays were measured cytotoxicity/antiproliferative (MTT, Neutral Red, and dsDNA PicoGreen). In addition, the levels of melanin and purinergic enzymes were also measured. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) was determined as a measure of oxidative state. Treatment with nano-liposome containing alpha-arbutin induced a significant 68.4% cytotoxicity, similar to the positive control, in the B16-F10 murine melanoma cell line at 72 hr. Further, arbutin and liposomes containing alpha-arbutin increased levels of ROS and nitrite formation at 72 hr at the highest concentration (100 and 300 µg/ml) of treatments. Arbutin and liposomes containing alpha-arbutin reduced melanin levels at all tested concentrations. In addition, arbutin and alpha-arbutin containing liposomes lowered nucleotides (AMP, ADP, and ATP) and nucleoside (adenosine) levels in melanoma cells. Evidence suggests that α-arbutin containing liposome can be considered as an alternative immunosuppressive agent stimulated in melanoma treatment.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-coated noisomal doxorubicin for enhanced its medical application

This study aimed to synthesize and characterize chitosan-coated noisomal doxorubicin for the purpose of enhancing its medical application, particularly in the field of cancer treatment. Doxorubicin, a potent chemotherapeutic agent, was encapsulated within noisomes, which are lipid-based nanocarriers known for their ability to efficiently deliver drugs to target sites. Chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide, was used to coat the surface of the noisomes to improve their stability and enhance drug release properties. The synthesized chitosan-coated noisomal doxorubicin was subjected to various characterization techniques to evaluate its physicochemical properties. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a spherical structure with a diameter of 500-550 ± 5.45 nm and zeta potential of +11 ± 0.13 mV with no aggregation or agglomeration. Chitosan-coated noisomes can loaded doxorubicin with entrapping efficacy 75.19 ± 1.45%. While scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed well-defined pores within a fibrous surface. It is observed that chitosan-coated niosomes loading doxorubicin have optimum roughness (22.88 ± 0.71 nm). UV spectroscopy was employed to assess the drug encapsulation efficiency and release profile. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) helped determine the thermal behavior, which indicated a broad endotherm peak at 52.4 °C, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis provided information about the crystallinity of the formulation with an intense peak at 23.79°. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the formation of new bonds between the drug and the polymer. The findings from this study will contribute to the knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of the synthesized formulation, which is crucial for ensuring its stability, drug release kinetics, and biological activity. The enhanced chitosan-coated noisomal doxorubicin has the potential to improve the effectiveness and safety of doxorubicin in cancer treatment, offering a promising strategy for enhanced medical applications.

Co-delivery of carboplatin and doxorubicin using ZIF-8 coated chitosan-poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) nanoparticles through a dual pH/thermo responsive strategy to breast cancer cells

A dual pH/temperature sensitive core-shell nanoformulation has been developed based on ZIF-8 coated with chitosan-poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (CS-PNIPAAm) for co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and carboplatin (CBP) in breast cancer cells. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) had particle sizes around 200 nm and a zeta potential of about +30 mV. The CBP and DOX loading contents in the final NPs were 11.6 % and 55.54 %, respectively. NPs showed a pH and thermoresponsive drug release profile with a sustained prolonged release under physiological conditions. The in vitro cytotoxicity experiments showed a significant synergism of CBP and DOX to induce the IC50 of 1.96 μg/mL in MCF-7 cells and 4.54 μg/mL in MDA-MB-231 cells. Also, the final NPs were safer than free DOX and CBP on normal cells. The in vitro study confirmed the higher potency of the designed NPs in combination therapy against breast cancer cells with lower side effects than free drugs.

Chitosan functionalized doxorubicin loaded poly(methacrylamide) based copolymeric nanoparticles for enhanced cellular internalization and in vitro anticancer evaluation

Doxorubicin (Dox), a chemotherapeutic agent, encounters challenges such as a short half-life, dose-dependent toxicity, and low solubility. In this context, the present study involved the fabrication of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) and N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide (APMA) bearing P(HPMA-s-APMA) copolymeric nanoparticles (P(HPMA-s-APMA) NPs) and their investigation for efficient delivery of Dox. Furthermore, the synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were coated with chitosan (Cht) to generate positively charged nanoformulations. The prepared formulations were evaluated for particle size, morphology, surface charge analysis, percentage encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and drug release studies. The anticancer activity of Cht-P(HPMA-s-APMA)-Dox NPs was assessed in the HeLa cancer cell line. The prepared P(HPMA-s-APMA)-Dox NPs exhibited an average particle size of 240-250 nm. Chitosan decorated P(HPMA-s-APMA)-Dox NPs displayed a significant increase in particle size, and the zeta potential shifted from negative to positive. The EE% for Cht-P(HPMA-s-APMA)-Dox NPs was calculated to be 68.06 %. The drug release studies revealed a rapid release of drug from Cht-P(HPMA-s-APMA)-Dox NPs at pH 4.8 than pH 7.4, demonstrating the pH-responsiveness of nanoformulation. Furthermore, the cell viability assay and internalization studies revealed that Cht-P(HPMA-s-APMA)-Dox NPs had a high cytotoxic response and significant cellular uptake. Hence, the Cht-P(HPMA-s-APMA)-Dox NPs appeared to be a suitable nanocarrier for effective, and safe chemotherapy.

A nudge over the relaxation plateau: effect of pH, particle concentration, and medium viscosity on the AC induction heating efficiency of biocompatible chitosan-coated Fe3O4nanoparticles

The effects of pH, MNP concentration, and medium viscosity on the magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) properties of chitosan-coated superparamagnetic Fe3O4nanoparticles (MNPs) are probed here. Due to the protonation of the amide groups, the MNPs are colloidally stable at lower pH (∼2), but form aggregates at higher pH (∼8). The increased aggregate size at higher pH causes the Brownian relaxation time (τB) to increase, leading to a decrease in specific absorption rate (SAR). For colloidal conditions ensuring Brownian-dominated relaxation dynamics, an increase in MNP concentrations or medium viscosity is found to increase theτB. SAR decreases with increasing MNP concentration, whereas it exhibits a non-monotonic variation with increasing medium viscosity. Dynamic hysteresis loop-based calculations are found to be in agreement with the experimental results. The findings provide a greater understanding of the variation of SAR with the colloidal properties and show the importance of relaxation dynamics on MFH efficiency, where variations in the frequency-relaxation time product across the relaxation plateau cause significant variations in SAR. Further, thein vitrocytotoxicity studies show good bio-compatibility of the chitosan-coated Fe3O4MNPs. Higher SAR at acidic pH for bio-medically acceptable field parameters makes the bio-compatible chitosan-coated Fe3O4MNPs suitable for MFH applications.

In Vitro Targeted Delivery of Simvastatin and Niacin to Macrophages Using Mannan-Grafted Magnetite Nanoparticles

Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of mortality worldwide, involves various subsets of macrophages that contribute to its initiation and progression. Current treatment approaches focus on systemic, long-term administration of cholesterol-lowering antioxidants such as statins and certain vitamins, which unfortunately come with prolonged side effects. To overcome these drawbacks, a mannose-containing magnetic nanoparticle (NP) is introduced as a drug delivery system to specifically target macrophages in vitro using simvastatin or niacin and a combinational therapy approach that reduces local inflammation while avoiding unwanted side effects. The synthesized NPs exhibited superparamagnetic behavior, neutrally charged thin coating with a hydrodynamic size of 77.23 ± 13.90 nm, and a metallic core ranging from 15 to 25 nm. Efficient loading of niacin (87.21%) and simvastatin (75.36%) on the NPs was achieved at respective weights of 20.13 and 5.03 (w/w). In the presence of a mannan hydrolyzing enzyme, 79.51% of simvastatin and 67.23% of niacin were released from the NPs within 90 min, with a leakage rate below 19.22%. Additionally, the coated NPs showed no destructive effect on J774A macrophages up to a concentration of 200 μg/mL. Simvastatin-loaded NPs exhibited a minimal increase in IL-6 expression. The low dosage of simvastatin decreased both IL-6 and ARG1 expressions, while niacin and combined simvastatin/niacin increased the level of ARG1 expression significantly. Toxicity evaluations on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and murine liver cells revealed that free simvastatin administration caused significant toxicity, whereas the encapsulated forms of simvastatin, niacin, and a combination of simvastatin/niacin at equivalent concentrations exhibited no significant toxicity. Hence, the controlled release of the encapsulated form of simvastatin and niacin resulted in the effective modulation of macrophage polarization. The delivery system showed suitability for targeting macrophages to atherosclerotic plaque.

Optimized DOX Drug Deliveries via Chitosan-Mediated Nanoparticles and Stimuli Responses in Cancer Chemotherapy: A Review

Chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) serve as useful multidrug delivery carriers in cancer chemotherapy. Chitosan has considerable potential in drug delivery systems (DDSs) for targeting tumor cells. Doxorubicin (DOX) has limited application due to its resistance and lack of specificity. Chitosan NPs have been used for DOX delivery because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, drug encapsulation efficiency, and target specificity. In this review, various types of chitosan derivatives are discussed in DDSs to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Modified chitosan-DOX NP drug deliveries with other compounds also increase the penetration and efficiency of DOX against tumor cells. We also highlight the endogenous stimuli (pH, redox, enzyme) and exogenous stimuli (light, magnetic, ultrasound), and their positive effect on DOX drug delivery via chitosan NPs. Our study sheds light on the importance of chitosan NPs for DOX drug delivery in cancer treatment and may inspire the development of more effective approaches for cancer chemotherapy.

ESIPT-, AIE-, and AIE + ESIPT-Based Light-Activated Drug Delivery Systems and Bioactive Donors for Targeted Disease Treatment

Targeted release of bioactive molecules for therapeutic purposes is a key area in the biomedical field that is growing quickly, where bioactive molecules are released passively or actively from drug delivery systems (DDSs) or bioactive donors. In the past decade, researchers have identified light as one of the prime stimuli that can implement the efficient spatiotemporally targeted delivery of drugs or gaseous molecules with minimal cytotoxicity and a real-time monitoring ability. This perspective emphasizes recent advances in the photophysical properties of ESIPT- (excited-state intramolecular proton transfer), AIE- (aggregation-induced emission), and AIE + ESIPT-attributed light-activated delivery systems or donors. The three major sections of this perspective describe the distinctive features of DDSs and donors concerning their design, synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties, and in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrating their relevance as carrier molecules for releasing cancer drugs and gaseous molecules in the biological system.

Cinnamic acid and lactobionic acid based nanoformulations as a potential antiamoebic therapeutics

Acanthamoeba castellanii causes granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, an uncommon but severe brain infection and sight-threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis. Most of the currently used anti-amoebic treatments are not always effective, due to persistence of the cyst stage, and recurrence can occur. Here in this study we synthesize cinnamic acid and lactobionic acid-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) using co-precipitation technique. These nanoformulations were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Atomic form microscopy. The drugs alone (Hesperidin, Curcumin and Amphotericin B), magnetic NPs alone, and drug-loaded nano-formulations were evaluated at a concentration of 100 μg/mL for antiamoebic activity against a clinical isolate of A. castellanii. Amoebicidal assays revealed that drugs and conjugation of drugs and NPs further enhanced amoebicidal effects of drug-loaded nanoformulations. Drugs and drug-loaded nanoformulations inhibited both encystation and excystation of amoebae. In addition, drugs and drug-loaded nanoformulations inhibited parasite binding capability to the host cells. Neither drugs nor drug-loaded nanoformulations showed cytotoxic effects against host cells and considerably reduced parasite-mediated host cell death. Overall, these findings imply that conjugation of medically approved drugs with MNPs produce potent anti-Acanthamoebic effects, which could eventually lead to the development of therapeutic medications.

Biodegradable functionalized magnetite nanoparticles as binary-targeting carrier for breast carcinoma

In this study, Superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles (SPMNPs) are used in a new way as direct nanocarrier for Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) via the functionalization of their surface with tri-sodium citrate through ligand exchange to conjugate DOX with imine bond to form tri-sodium citrate functionalized magnetite loaded DOX nanoparticles (DOX/Cit-MNPs). The DOX/Cit-MNPs were coated with chitosan to form chitosan coated citrate functionalized magnetite loaded DOX nanoparticles (Cs/DOX/Cit-MNPs) to offer biodegradability and pH-sensitive drug release features. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed functionalization of SPMNPs, DOX-conjugation, and chitosan coating. The trans electron microscopy (TEM) show spherical nanostructures with average size 40 nm for coated nanocarriers. The saturation magnetization value of carrier was 59 emu/g.The in-vitro release of DOX from the chitosan coated tri-sodium citrate functionalized magnetite loaded DOX nanoparticles (Cs/DOX/Cit-MNPs) was studied to be 75% at pH 5.5 and 28.6% at pH 7.4 which proves the pH sensitivity of encapsulated Cs/DOX/Cit-MNPs. The effect of Cs/DOX/Cit-MNPs toward Human Breast Cancer Cell lines (MCF7) was studied and found to be 76% without magnet and 98% with external magnet after 72 h. With increasing DOX concentration and treatment time, the cell inhibition (IR%) of DOX solution and Cs/DOX-Cit-MNPs suspension to all cells is increased. Cs/DOX/Cit-MNPs showed sustained release and good inhibition to cancer cells and offer a protective mode for normal cells (WISH) compared to the free DOX.

Neuroprotective effect of piracetam-loaded magnetic chitosan nanoparticles against thiacloprid-induced neurotoxicity in albino rats

Thiacloprid (TH) is a neurotoxic agricultural insecticide and potential food contaminant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between TH exposure and memory dysfunction in rats, as well as the potential protective effect of piracetam and piracetam-loaded magnetic chitosan nanoparticles (PMC NPs). Rats were divided into five equal groups (six rats/group). The control group received saline. Group II was treated with PMC NPs at a dose level of 200 mg/kg body weight (Bwt); Group III was treated with 1/10 LD₅₀ of TH (65 mg/kg Bwt); Group IV was treated with TH (65 mg/kg Bwt) and piracetam (200 mg/kg Bwt); Group V was co-treated with TH (65 mg/kg Bwt) and PMC NPs (200 mg/kg Bwt). All animal groups were dosed daily for 6 weeks by oral gavage. Footprint analysis, hanging wire test, open field test, and Y-maze test were employed to assess behavioral deficits. Animals were euthanized, and brain tissues were analyzed for oxidative stress biomarkers, proinflammatory cytokines, and gene expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and caspase-3. Brain and sciatic nerve tissues were used for the evaluation of histopathological changes and immunohistochemical expression of tau protein and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), respectively. The results revealed that TH-treated rats suffered from oxidative damage and inflammatory effect on the central and peripheral nerves. The administration of PMC NPs considerably protected against TH-induced neuronal damage, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased inflammatory markers, and improved behavioral performance than the group treated with piracetam. The neuroprotective effect of PMC NPs was mediated through the inhibition of GFAP, APP, caspase-3, Tau, and NF-κB gene expression with induction of Bcl-2 expression. In conclusion, TH could induce oxidative stress, inflammatory and neurobehavior impairment in rats. However, PMC NPs administration markedly mitigated TH-induced brain toxicity, possibly via oxidative and inflammatory modulation rather than using piracetam alone.

Self-regulated cobalt zinc ferrite system as a potential nanoplatform for the synergistic effect of hyperthermia-chemo agent for cancer therapy

Magnetic hyperthermia (MH) has been studied for almost seventy-five years, but its efficacy in clinical applications is still fiercely contested. Despite this, few magnetic nanosystems are approved for clinical usage due to their strong affinity as drug carriers. The most important condition for hyperthermia applications for successful cancer therapy is magnetic nanoparticles with a controlled heating pattern (42-46 °C) for a prolonged timeframe. In the current study, cobalt-zinc nanoferrites (MNPs) having a Curie temperature of 46 ℃ with a tunable heating profile was loaded with Doxorubicin (DOX) through a surface conjugation technique (DOX-Cs-MNPs), and characterized by using multiple techniques. The magnetic hyterises (M-H) curves revealed the occurrence of superparamagnetism in the MNPs with extremely low coercivity; further, the DOX-loaded nanoparticles exhibited enhanced saturation magnetization. More importantly, the MNPs showed that they could maintain a therapeutic temperature for an indefinite amount of time. High drug loading affinity (86 %) was observed on MNPs with pH and temperature-controlled release. Under in vitro conditions, the biocompatible DOX-Cs-MNPs caused substantial apoptosis in MCF-7 cells (72 %) with overall cell death of < 95 %. The distinctive MNPs thus have the potential to be used in clinical applications.

Raw and Purified Clay Minerals for Drug Delivery Applications

In this study, the aim was to prepare drug-releasing clay mineral particles using raw (CaMt) and purified (PMt) montmorillonite and to compare and determine the effects of purification on the properties of montmorillonite. Montmorillonite clay minerals are used in several pharmaceutical and cosmetic products due to their many favorable properties, such as cation exchange capacity, adsorption capability, high specific surface area, and biocompatibility. Recently, several types of clay minerals have been widely studied for drug delivery applications due to their unique properties. The purification of montmorillonite is considered as a potentially useful step which may decrease the toxicity of impurities but which may increase the adsorption capacity of the montmorillonite. However, the effects on the toxicity and drug-release properties of purified montmorillonite have never been compared to that of raw montmorillonite. Montmorillonite was purified through decomposition of carbonates, dissolution of hydroxides, oxidation of organic materials, dialysis, and sedimentation. The raw and the purified montmorillonite were characterized using XRD, FTIR, and cation exchange capacities. Then, the cytotoxicity of raw and purified montmorillonite on normal hFOB cells was investigated to assess their biocompatibility in vitro. Finally, the efficacy of montmorillonite as a drug-delivering agent was investigated in vitro using cytotoxicity assays with the MCF7 cell line. The antitumor drug doxorubicin was loaded onto particles through electrostatic forces at 97.99% for CaMt and 96.79% for PMt. The drug-loading efficiency and release behavior of both clay minerals were determined. Results showed that both raw and purified montmorillonite did not significantly reduce the viability of normal cells at low concentrations (<500 μg/mL). At high concentrations, both raw and purified montmorillonite showed significant toxicity and the effect of impurities on toxicity were also more pronounced. Although drug loading was successful for both clay minerals there were differences in their controlled drug-release behavior. Doxorubicin-loaded raw and purified clay minerals significantly reduced MCF7 cell viability similar to pure DOX.

ROS-Generating Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Conjugated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as Cancer-Targeting Sustained Release Carrier of Doxorubicin

Purpose

Site-specific drug delivery systems can contribute to the development and execution of effective cancer treatment. Due to its favorable features (including high biocompatibility, high hydrophilicity and ease of functionalization), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been widely adopted to design drug carriers. Generating carriers for delivery of hydrophobic anticancer agents, however, is still a challenge in carrier design.

Methods

In the first step, PEG is functionalized with dialdehyde to generate PEG-(CHO)₂ using EDC/NHS chemistry. In the second step, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are functionalized with amino groups to generate Fe₃O₄-NH₂. In the third step, PEG-(CHO)₂, Fe₃O₄-NH₂ and doxorubicin (DOX) react in an acidic environment to yield a drug conjugate (PEGDA-MN-DOX), which is subsequently characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, SEM, TEM, DLS, TGA, and DSC.

Results

The chemical functionalities of the drug conjugate are confirmed by FTIR, H-NMRand XRD analysis.The release pattern of PEGDA-MN-DOX is investigated at 25 and 37 °C at different pH values. The results indicate that the developed drug conjugate cannot only behave as a sustained-release carrier, but can also generate a significant level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to a high level of toxicity against MCF-7 cells while still showing excellent biocompatibility in 3T3 cells.

Conclusion

The reported conjugate shows anticancer potential, cancer-targeting ability, and ROS-generating capacity for effective drug encapsulation and sustained release in chemotherapy.

Composite Nanoarchitectonics of Magnetic Silicon Dioxide-Modified Chitosan for Doxorubicin Delivery and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Assay

Developing drug delivery carriers for highly selective, controlled, and sustained release of the anti-cancer drugs is one of the crucial issues in the cancer strive. We herein report the synthesis of Fe3O4 (M) and SiO2 (S) nanoparticles and their nanocomposites with chitosan (CS) for high loading efficiency and subsequent release potentiality of Doxorubicin (DOX) anticancer drug. The as-synthesized nanostructures were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and thermal analysis techniques. The average crystallite sizes of the as-prepared M, S, CS/M, CS/S, and CS/M/S nanostructures were found to be 5, 15, 70, 22, and 29 nm, respectively. The loading and cumulative release of Doxorubicin for the produced nanostructures were examined, and the results exhibited loading efficacy of 71%, 95%, 96%, 79%, 17%, and 42% for M, S, CS, CS/M, CS/S, and CS/M/S nanostructures, respectively. The Doxorubicin releasing results revealed a promising cumulative release percentages at pH 4.2 and pH 5 compared with those at pH 7.4. At pH 4.2, the cumulative release percentages for DOX-M, DOX-S, DOX-CS, DOX/M, and DOX/CS/M/S were 94%, 96%, 92%, 95%, and 98%, respectively. While the corresponding percentages at pH 5 were 97%, 90%, 46%, 43%, and 70%. The percentage for DOX-CS/S was 60% at pH 5, though. The in-vitro cytotoxicity of M-DOX, CS-DOX, and M/CS-DOX was explored against two human cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and Hep-G2) using SRB (Sulforhodamine B) assay. The DOX-loaded M/CS exhibited the highest cytotoxicity and its IC50 values were 2.65 and 2.25 μg/mL against Hep-G2 and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively, compared to the corresponding values of 5.1 and 4.5 μg/mL for free DOX. The results indicated that M/CS nanocomposite is a good candidate as drug delivery nano-carrier for the Doxorubicin anti-cancer drug.

A Review of Multifunction Smart Nanoparticle based Drug Delivery Systems

Cancer nano-therapeutics are rapidly evolving and are often used to overcome a number of concerns with traditional drug delivery methods, including non-specific drug targeting and distribution, low oral bioavailability, and poor hydrophilicity. Modern nano-based targeting techniques have been developed as a result of advances in nano vehicle engineering and materials science, which may bring people with cancer a new hope. Clinical trials have been authorized for a number of medicinal nanocarriers. Nanocarriers with the best feasible size and surface attributes have been developed to optimize biodistribution and increase blood circulation duration. Nanotherapeutics can carry preloaded active medicine towards cancerous cells by preferentially leveraging the specific physiopathology of malignancies. In contrast to passive targeting, active targeting strategies involving antigens or ligands, developed against specific tumor sites, boost the selectivity of these curative nanovehicles. Another barrier that nanoparticles may resolve or lessen is drug resistance. Multifunctional and complex nanoparticles are currently being explored and are predicted to usher in a new era of nanoparticles that will allow for more individualized and customized cancer therapy. The potential prospects and opportunities of stimuli-triggered nanosystems in therapeutic trials are also explored in this review.

Influence of magnetite incorporation into chitosan on the adsorption of the methotrexate and in vitro cytotoxicity

Emerging pollutants are a group of substances involved in environmental contamination resulting mostly from incomplete drug metabolism, associated with inadequate disposal and ineffective effluent treatment techniques. Methotrexate (MTX), for instance, is excreted at high concentrations in unchanged form through the urine. Although the MTX is still effective in cancer and autoimmune disease treatment, this drug shows the ability of bioaccumulation and toxicity to the organism. Thus, the present work aimed to evaluate the adsorption of the MTX drug onto magnetic nanocomposites containing different amounts of incorporated magnetite (1:1, 1:5, and 1:10 wt%), combining the theoretical-experimental study as well as the in vitro cytotoxicity. Moreover, equilibrium studies (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Hill, Redlich-Peterson, and Sips), kinetic (PFO, PSO, and IPD), and thermodynamic (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) were used to describe the experimental data, and ab initio simulations were employed in the theoretical study. Magnetic nanocomposites were synthesized by the co-precipitation method using only FeCl₂ as the iron precursor. Adsorbents were characterized by FTIR, XRD, Raman, SEM-EDS, BET, and VSM analysis. Meanwhile, cytotoxic effects on L929 and A375 cell lines were evaluated through MTT, NR, and LDH assays. The adsorption of the MTX was carried out in a typical batch system, exploring the different experimental conditions. The theoretical study suggests the occurrence of chemisorption between CS·Fe₃O₄-MTX. The maximum adsorption capacity of MTX was 285.92 mg g^-1, using 0.125 g L^-1 of CS·Fe₃O₄ 1:1, with an initial concentration of the MTX (50 mg L^-1), pH 4.0 at 293 ± 1.00 K. The best adjustment of equilibrium and kinetic data were the Sips (low values for statistical errors) and PSO (q_e = 96.73 mg g^-1) models, respectively. Thermodynamic study shows that the adsorption occurred spontaneously (ΔG° < 0), with exothermic (ΔH° =  - 4698.89 kJ mol^-1) and random at the solid-solution interface (ΔS° = 1,476,022.00 kJ mol^-1 k^-1) behavior. Finally, the in vitro study shows that magnetic nanomaterials exhibit higher cytotoxicity in melanoma cells. Therefore, the magnetic nanocomposite reveals to be not only an excellent tool for water remediation studies but also a promising platform for drug delivery.

Multifunctional Theranostic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Tumor Targeted Imaging and Synergistic FUS/Chemotherapy on Murine 4T1 Breast Cancer Cell

Purpose

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is challenging for effective remission due to its very aggressive, extremely metastatic and resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Herein, a multifunctional theranostic nanoparticle was fabricated to enhance tumor targeted imaging and promote focused ultrasound (FUS) ablation and chemotherapy and sonodynamic therapy (SDT). A multi-modal synergistic therapy can improve the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of TNBC.

Methods

AS1411 aptamer modified PEG@PLGA nanoparticles encapsulated with perfluorohexane (PFH) and anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) were constructed (AS1411-DOX/PFH-PEG@PLGA) to enhance tumor targeted imaging to guide ablation and synergistic effect of FUS/chemotherapy. FUS was utilized to trigger the co-release of doxorubicin and simultaneously PFH phase transition and activate DOX for SDT effect. The physicochemical, phase-changeable imaging capability, biosafety of nanoparticles and multi-mode synergistic effects on growth of TNBC were thoroughly evaluated in vivo and in vitro.

Results

The synthesized AS1411-DOX/PFH-PEG@PLGA (A-DPPs) nanoparticles are uniformly round with an average diameter of 306.03 ± 5.35 nm and the zeta potential of −4.05 ± 0.13 mV, displaying high biosafety and FUS-responsive drug release in vitro and in vivo. AS1411 modified NPs specifically bind to 4T1 cells and elevate the ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) image contrast intensity via PFH phase-transition after FUS exposure. Moreover, the combined treatment of A-DPPs nanoparticles with FUS exhibited significantly higher apoptosis rate, stronger inhibitory effect on 4T1 cell invasion in vitro, induced more reactive oxygen species (ROS), and enhanced anti-tumor effect compared to a single therapy (p < 0.05). Additionally, the joint strategy resulted in more intense cavitation effect and larger ablated areas and reduced energy efficiency factor (EEF) both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

The multifunctional AS1411-DOX/PFH-PEG@PLGA nanoparticles can perform as a marvelous synergistic agent for enhanced FUS/chemotherapy, promote real-time contrast enhanced US imaging and improve the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of TNBC.

Formulation and Characterization of Poly (Ethylene Glycol)-Coated Core-Shell Methionine Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Carrier for Naproxen Delivery: Growth Inhibition of Cancer Cells

Simple Summary

Naproxen was loaded onto a magnetic nanoparticle coated with polyethylene glycol. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were used in this study to develop a smart naproxen delivery system. One of the most potent COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors is naproxen, which belongs to the NSAID family of drugs. Although this drug has a short half-life, it has considerable toxicities and side effects on gastrointestinal tissues. The significant potential of our proposed nanocarrier for biomedical applications has been widely recognized; we modified MNPs to attach to this drug via disulfide bonds, promote the selective release of naproxen in inflammatory cells, and prevent adverse effects on the digestive system. It was found that the cytotoxicity of the drug was lowered by this change, which prevented unspecific protein binding.

Abstract

An efficient and selective drug delivery vehicle for cancer cells can remarkably improve therapeutic approaches. In this study, we focused on the synthesis and characterization of magnetic Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) coated with two layers of methionine and polyethylene glycol to increase the loading capacity and lower toxicity to serve as an efficient drug carrier. Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄@Methionine@PEG NPs were synthesized by a reflux method then characterized by FTIR, XRD, FESEM, TEM, and VSM. Naproxen was used as a model drug and its loading and release in the vehicles were evaluated. The results for loading efficiency showed 1 mg of Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄@Methionine@PEG NPs could load 0.51 mg of the naproxen. Interestingly, Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄@Methionine@PEG showed a gradual release of the drug, achieving a time-release up to 5 days, and demonstrated that a pH 5 release of the drug was about 20% higher than Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄@Methionine NPs, which could enhance the intracellular drug release following endocytosis. At pH 7.4, the release of the drug was slower than Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄@Methionine NPs; demonstrating the potential to minimize the adverse effects of anticancer drugs on normal tissues. Moreover, naproxen loaded onto the Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄@Methionine@PEG NPs for breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 showed more significant cell death than the free drug, which was measured by an MTT assay. When comparing both cancer cells, we demonstrated that naproxen loaded onto the Ni_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄@Methionine@PEG NPs exhibited greater cell death effects on the MCF-7 cells compared with the MDA-MB-231 cells. The results of the hemolysis test also showed good hemocompatibility. The results indicated that the prepared magnetic nanocarrier could be suitable for controlled anticancer drug delivery.

Biodegradable and biocompatible subcutaneous implants consisted of pH-sensitive mebendazole-loaded/folic acid-targeted chitosan nanoparticles for murine triple-negative breast cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

Mebendazole (MBZ) is a well-known anti-parasite drug with significant anti-cancer properties. However, MBZ exhibits low solubility, limited absorption efficacy, extensive first-pass effect, and low bioavailability. Therefore, multiple oral administration of high dose MBZ is required daily for achieving the therapeutic serum level which can cause severe side effects and patients' non-compliance.

METHOD

In the present study, MBZ-loaded/folic acid-targeted chitosan nanoparticles (CS-FA-MBZ) were synthesized, characterized, and used to form cylindrical subcutaneous implants for 4T1 triple-negative breast tumor (TNBC) treatment in BALB/c mice. The therapeutic efficacy of the CS-FA-MBZ implants was investigated after subcutaneous implantation in comparison with Control, MBZ (40 mg/kg, oral administration, twice a week for 2 weeks), and CS-FA implants, according to 4T1 tumors' growth progression, metastasis, and tumor-bearing mice survival time. Also, their biocompatibility was evaluated by blood biochemical analyzes and histopathological investigation of vital organs.

RESULTS

The CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely degraded 15 days after implantation and caused about 73.3%, 49.2%, 57.4% decrease in the mean tumors' volume in comparison with the Control (1050.5 ± 120.7 mm³), MBZ (552.4 ± 76.1 mm³), and CS-FA (658.3 ± 88.1 mm³) groups, respectively. Average liver metastatic colonies' number per microscope field at the CS-FA-MBZ group (2.3 ± 0.7) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the Control (9.6 ± 1.7), MBZ (5.0 ± 1.5), and CS-FA (5.2 ± 1) groups. In addition, the CS-FA-MBZ treated mice exhibited about 52.1%, 27.3%, and 17% more survival days after the cancer cells injection in comparison with the Control, MBZ, and CS-FA groups, respectively. Moreover, the CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely biocompatible based on histopathology and blood biochemical analyzes.

CONCLUSION

Taking together, CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely biodegradable and biocompatible with high therapeutic efficacy in a murine TNBC model.

Polysaccharide-Drug Conjugates: A Tool for Enhanced Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the most widespread deadly diseases, following cardiovascular disease, worldwide. Chemotherapy is widely used in combination with surgery, hormone and radiation therapy to treat various cancers. However, chemotherapeutic drugs can cause severe side effects due to non-specific targeting, poor bioavailability, low therapeutic indices, and high dose requirements. Several drug carriers successfully overcome these issues and deliver drugs to the desired sites, reducing the side effects. Among various drug delivery systems, polysaccharide-based carriers that target only the cancer cells have been developed to overcome the toxicity of chemotherapeutics. Polysaccharides are non-toxic, biodegradable, hydrophilic biopolymers that can be easily modified chemically to improve the bioavailability and stability for delivering therapeutics into cancer tissues. Different polysaccharides, such as chitosan, alginates, cyclodextrin, pullulan, hyaluronic acid, dextran, guar gum, pectin, and cellulose, have been used in anti-cancer drug delivery systems. This review highlights the recent progress made in polysaccharides-based drug carriers in anti-cancer therapy.

Chitosan: A versatile bio-platform for breast cancer theranostics

Breast cancer is considered one of the utmost neoplastic diseases globally, with a high death rate of patients. Over the last decades, many approaches have been studied to early diagnose and treat it, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and MRI and biomarker tests; do not show the optimal efficacy. These existing approaches are accompanied by severe side effects, thus recognizing these challenges, a great effort has been done to find out the new remedies for breast cancer. Main finding: Nanotechnology opened a new horizon to the treatment of breast cancer. Many nanoparticulate platforms for the diagnosis of involved biomarkers and delivering antineoplastic drugs are under either clinical trials or just approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is well known that natural phytochemicals are successfully useful to treat breast cancer because these natural compounds are safer, available, cheaper, and have less toxic effects. Chitosan is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. Further, it has outstanding features, like chemical functional groups that can easily modify our interest with an exceptional choice of promising applications. Abundant studies were directed to assess the chitosan derivative-based nanoformulation's abilities in delivering varieties of drugs. However, the role of chitosan in diagnostics and theranostics not be obligated. The present servey will discuss the application of chitosan as an anticancer drug carrier such as tamoxifen, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, etc. and also, its role as a theranostics (i.e. photo-responsive and thermo-responsive) moieties. The therapeutic and theranostic potential of chitosan in cancer is promising and it seems that to have a good potential to get to the clinic.

Immunoprotective effect of an in silico designed multiepitope cancer vaccine with BORIS cancer-testis antigen target in a murine mammary carcinoma model

In our previous study, immunoinformatic tools were used to design a novel multiepitope cancer vaccine based on the most immunodominant regions of BORIS cancer-testis antigen. The final vaccine construct was an immunogenic, non-allergenic, and stable protein consisted of multiple cytotoxic T lymphocytes epitopes, IFN-γ inducing epitopes, and B cell epitopes according to bioinformatic analyzes. Herein, the DNA sequence of the final vaccine construct was placed into the pcDNA3.1 vector as a DNA vaccine (pcDNA3.1-VAC). Also, the recombinant multiepitope peptide vaccine (MPV) was produced by a transfected BL21 E. coli strain using a recombinant pET-28a vector and then, purified and screened by Fast protein liquid chromatography technique (FPLC) and Western blot, respectively. The anti-tumor effects of prophylactic co-immunization with these DNA and protein cancer vaccines were evaluated in the metastatic non-immunogenic 4T1 mammary carcinoma in BALB/c mice. Co-immunization with the pcDNA3.1-VAC and MPV significantly (P < 0.001) increased the serum levels of the MPV-specific IgG total, IgG2a, and IgG1. The splenocytes of co-immunized mice exhibited a significantly higher efficacy to produce interleukin-4 and interferon-γ and proliferation in response to MPV in comparison with the control. The prophylactic co-immunization regime caused significant breast tumors' growth inhibition, tumors' weight decrease, inhibition of metastasis formation, and enlarging tumor-bearing mice survival time, without any considerable side effects. Taking together, this cancer vaccine can evoke strong immune response against breast tumor and inhibits its growth and metastasis.

Hydroxyapatite grafted chitosan/laponite RD hydrogel: Evaluation of the encapsulation capacity, pH-responsivity, and controlled release behavior

In this study, a pH-responsive drug carrier was developed for the controllable release of drugs in the gastric environment. Chitosan (CS), a pH-sensitive biopolymer, and laponite RD (LAP), a nano-clay with a high drug-loading capability, were used to design the new carrier. Hydroxyapatite (HA) was grafted into CS/LAP matrix through a simple co-precipitation technique to overcome the burst release of the CS/LAP. The structural analysis and swelling tests of products demonstrated that the co-precipitation method has led to the penetration of HA nanoparticles inside the CS/LAP matrix and occupying its hollow pores. Occupation of the empty pores can lead to the entrapment of drug molecules, thereby reducing the release rate. The nanocomposite showed a high loading capacity to ofloxacin as a drug model. The effects of HA content on release behavior of nanocomposite were investigated at simulated gastric (pH 1.2) and intestine (pH 7.4) environments. The results indicated a high pH sensitivity for CS/LAP/HA. HA grafting reduced the release rate remarkably regardless of pH. The release rate of CS/LAP/HA decreased by 44-63% in pH 1.2 and 41-51% in pH 7.4 compared to CS/LAP. Kinetic studies indicated that grafting the HA in CS/LAP has changed the drug release mechanism.

Polymeric Silver Nanoparticles: Potential for Folate-Targeted Delivery of Cisplatin In Vitro

Nanotechnology is a favorable avenue for improving therapeutic strategies, especially in cancer therapy. The harmful side effects of traditional cancer therapy impact dramatically on the patient’s quality of life. Cisplatin, a commonly used anticancer drug, is implicated in side effects such as neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and reduced blood cell count. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been investigated for their antibacterial effects and their anticancer activities to a lesser extent. Their capability as drug delivery vehicles has not been fully exploited, primarily due to their inconclusive cytotoxicity observed in healthy tissues. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize nanoparticles (NPs), consisting of Ag, chitosan (Cs) and folic acid (FA) (CsAg and FACsAg), loading them with cisplatin (C) (C-CsAg and C-FACsAg) and comparing their anticancer activities in the human embryonic kidney (HEK293), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. All NPs and drug nanocomplexes were morphologically and physicochemically characterized, revealing NPs and nanocomplexes of favorable sizes ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm), polydispersity and stability. The drug encapsulation efficiencies for C-CsAg and C-FACsAg were 50% and 72%, respectively, while drug release studies indicated that cisplatin release was pH dependent. The C-FACsAg nanocomplexes produced greater anticancer activity than C-CsAg. Folate receptor-mediated uptake was confirmed for the C-FACsAg nanocomplexes in the receptor-rich HeLa cells boding well for future in vivo research.

Development of a Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Drug Delivery System (DDS): An Update

Delivering a drug to the target site with minimal-to-no off-target cytotoxicity is the major determinant for the success of disease therapy. While the therapeutic efficacy and cytotoxicity of the drug play the main roles, the use of a suitable drug delivery system (DDS) is important to protect the drug along the administration route and release it at the desired target site. Polysaccharides have been extensively studied as a biomaterial for DDS development due to their high biocompatibility. More usefully, polysaccharides can be crosslinked with various molecules such as micro/nanoparticles and hydrogels to form a modified DDS. According to IUPAC, hydrogel is defined as the structure and processing of sols, gels, networks and inorganic–organic hybrids. This 3D network which often consists of a hydrophilic polymer can drastically improve the physical and chemical properties of DDS to increase the biodegradability and bioavailability of the carrier drugs. The advancement of nanotechnology also allows the construction of hydrogel DDS with enhanced functionalities such as stimuli-responsiveness, target specificity, sustained drug release, and therapeutic efficacy. This review provides a current update on the use of hydrogel DDS derived from polysaccharide-based materials in delivering various therapeutic molecules and drugs. We also highlighted the factors that affect the efficacy of these DDS and the current challenges of developing them for clinical use.

Degradation-Dependent Controlled Delivery of Doxorubicin by Glyoxal Cross-Linked Magnetic and Porous Chitosan Microspheres

Glyoxal cross-linked porous magnetic chitosan microspheres, GMS (∼170 μm size), with a tunable degradation profile were synthesized by a water-in-oil emulsion technique to accomplish controlled delivery of doxorubicin (DOX), a chemotherapeutic drug, to ensure prolonged chemotherapeutic effects. The GMS exhibit superparamagnetism with saturation magnetization, M s = 7.2 emu g-1. The in vitro swelling and degradation results demonstrate that a swelling plateau of GMS is reached at 24 h, while degradation can be modulated to begin at 96-120 h by formulating the cross-linked network using glyoxal. MTT assay, live/dead staining, and F-actin staining (actin/DAPI) validated the cytocompatibility of GMS, which further assured good drug loading capacity (35.8%). The release mechanism has two stages, initiated by diffusion-inspired release of DOX through the swollen polymer network (72 h), which is followed by a disintegration-tuned release profile (>96 h) conferring GMS a potential candidate for DOX delivery.

Trojan-Like Peptide Drug Conjugate Design and Construction for Application in Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Clinical treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is very poor for lack of effective treatment combination selection. Protein C receptor (PROCR) is a novel cancer stem marker in TNBC patients tumor tissues. Developed based on peptide BP10 with affinity to PROCR as a targeting element, constructing a peptide drug conjugate of BP10 covalently coupling doxorubicin with disulfide bonds. This study demonstrated that the constructed BP10-DOX can selectively target Triplenegative breast cancer cells expressing PROCR and controlled release of DOX in response to the GSH environment. Moreover, BP10-DOX improves the therapeutic efficiency on MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. Further evidence obtained from in vivo xenograft experiments revealed that administration of BP10-DOX enhanced the antitumor efficacy. This study developed a promising chemotherapy strategy for TNBC.

Boron phenyl alanine targeted ionic liquid decorated chitosan nanoparticles for mitoxantrone delivery to glioma cell line

Nanotechnology has revolutionized drug delivery in cancer treatment. In this study, novel efficient pH-responsive boron phenylalanine (BPA) targeted nanoparticles (NPs) based on ionic liquid modified chitosan have been introduced for selective mitoxantrone (MTO) delivery to the U87MG glioma cells. Urocanic acid (UA) and imidazolium (Im) based ionic liquids were used for structural modification simultaneously. The NPs were prepared by ionic gelation and fully characterized; the pH-responding and swelling index of NPs were studied carefully. The drug release was studied at a pH of 5.5 in comparison to the neutral state. Also, the cytotoxicity of loaded NPs was evaluated on U87MG glial cells, and cellular uptake was studied. The NPs were smaller than 250 nm, with a spherical pattern and acceptable uniformity with a zeta potential around +20 mV. The loading efficacy was about 85%, and most of the loaded MTO released at a pH of 5.5 after 48 h with a swelling-controlled mechanism. The NPs showed a relatively lower IC₅₀ than the free MTO, and the BPA-targeted NPs have lower IC₅₀ and better cellular uptake than non-targeted NPs in U87MG cells. More studies on this promising formula are on the way, and the results will be published soon.

Covalently coupling doxorubicin to polymeric nanoparticles as potential inhaler therapy: in vitro studies

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer worldwide, non-small cell lung cancer accounts for most lung cancers. Doxorubicin is a widely used chemotherapy agent in lung cancer. However, the drug has several undesirable side effects. Here, doxorubicin coupled PEGylated mucoadhesive nanoparticles were designed as a doxorubicin delivery system for pH-triggered release in lung cancer therapy through inhaler administration. Firstly, alginate/chitosan nanoparticles were developed at optimum conditions. Then, PEG diacid bound to structures for doxorubicin binding and providing steric hindrance for phagocytosis. Doxorubicin was linked via an acid-labile amide bond to PEGylated nanoparticles and 444.3 ± 9.2 µg doxorubicin was loaded per mg nanoparticle. Doxorubicin coupled PEG diacid linked alginate/chitosan nanoparticles were checked with FTIR. Hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of nanoparticles were measured as 205.7 ± 15.0 nm and -25.17 ± 2.67 mV. The morphology of nanoparticles was evaluated as nearly spherical. Drug release studies were performed both in physiological and acidic media. The drug release from nanoparticles reached 23.6% (pH 5.5) and 18% (pH 7.4) within 48 h. The cytotoxicity experiments were done using A549-luc-C8 cells, also statistical analyzes were carried out. The MTT results indicated the designed drug delivery system possessed anti-tumor efficacy for non-small cell lung cancer therapy.

Breast cancer drug delivery by novel drug-loaded chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most challenging cancers among women which is considered one of the most lethal cancers to this date. From the time that cancer has been discovered, finding the best therapeutic method is still an ongoing process. As a novel therapeutic method, nanomedicine has brought a vast number of materials that could versatilely be used as a drug carrier. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel black pomegranate peel extract loaded with chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles to treat breast cancer cells.

Results

The morphology and size distribution of the nanoparticles studied by dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, scanning, and transitional electron microscopy showed the spherical shape of the nanoparticles and their promising size range. Studies by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer, and zeta sizer confirmed the synthesis, substantial crystallinity, magnetic potential of the nanoparticles, and their satisfactory stability. The DPPH assay revealed that the obtained black pomegranate peel extract has 60% free radical scavenging activity. The cytotoxicity studies by MTT and LDH assay carried out on NIH/3T3, MBA-MB-231, and 4T1 cells confirmed that the magnetic nanoparticles had no significant cytotoxicity on the cells. However, the drug-loaded nanoparticles could significantly eradicate cancerous cells which had more efficiency comparing to free drug. Furthermore, free drug and drug-loaded nanoparticles had no toxic effect on normal cells.

Conclusion

Owing to the results achieved from this study, the novel drug-loaded nanoparticles are compatible to be used for breast cancer treatment and could potentially be used for further in vivo studies.

The synthesis and characterization of targeted delivery curcumin using chitosan-magnetite-reduced graphene oxide as nano-carrier

To achieve targeted treatment with fewer adverse effects against fatal cancer diseases, the use of nanoparticles as therapeutic agents or drug carriers has been proved to be very extensive and remarkable, today. In this study, chitosan-magnetite-reduced graphene oxide (CS-Fe₃O₄-RGO) nanocomposites (NC) were used for the targeted delivery of curcumin (Cur) as anticancer drugs to suppress MCF-7 breast cancer cells and this was accomplished using a facile water-in-oil (W/O) emulsification procedure. FTIR and XRD were used for characterization. The average size distribution of nanoemulsions and their surface charge (zeta potential) were determined by Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyzer and zeta potential measurement, respectively. SEM Mapping showed the uniform and flat surface for the NC which was confirmed by the EDX diagram. Measurement of VSM exhibited that the Fe₃O₄-RGOs have superparamagnetic properties. According to the MTT assay, the NC has the highest toxicity at 0.1 against MCF-7 cancer cells. The results of flow cytometry indicated apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. By using the dialysis method, it was determined that curcumin was released faster in an acidic medium. It is expected that the results of this study will be effective in the development of targeted drug delivery as well as the development of CS- Fe₃O₄-RGO-based drug carriers against various cancer cells during future research.

Chitosan, Polyethylene Glycol and Polyvinyl Alcohol Modified MgFe2O4 Ferrite Magnetic Nanoparticles in Doxorubicin Delivery: A Comparative Study In Vitro

Cancer-based magnetic theranostics has gained significant interest in recent years and can contribute as an influential archetype in the effective treatment of cancer. Owing to their excellent biocompatibility, minute sizes and reactive functional surface groups, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are being explored as potential drug delivery systems. In this study, MgFe₂O₄ ferrite MNPs were evaluated for their potential to augment the delivery of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). These MNPs were successfully synthesized by the glycol-thermal method and functionalized with the polymers; chitosan (CHI), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), respectively, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of the single-phase cubic spinel structures while vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis confirmed the superparamagnetic properties of all MNPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) revealed small, compact structures with good colloidal stability. CHI-MNPs had the highest DOX encapsulation (84.28%), with the PVA-MNPs recording the lowest encapsulation efficiency (59.49%). The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assays conducted in the human embryonic kidney (HEK293), colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), and breast adenocarcinoma (SKBR-3) cell lines showed that all the drug-free polymerized MNPs promoted cell survival, while the DOX loaded MNPs significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. The DOX-CHI-MNPs possessed superior anticancer activity (<40% cell viability), with approximately 85.86% of the drug released after 72 h in a pH-responsive manner. These MNPs have shown good potential in enhancing drug delivery, thus warranting further optimizations and investigations.

Prospects and challenges of anticancer agents' delivery via chitosan-based drug carriers to combat breast cancer: a review

Breast cancer (BC) is considered as one the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Due to its high resistance to chemotherapy and high probability of metastasis, BC is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. The controlled release of chemotherapy drugs to the precise site of the tumor tissue will increase the therapeutic efficacy and decrease side effects of systemic administration. Among various drug delivery systems, natural polymers-based drug carriers have gained significant attention for cancer therapy. Chitosan, a natural polymer obtained by de-acetylation of chitin, holds huge potential for drug delivery applications because chitosan is non-toxic, non-immunogenic, biocompatible, chemically modifiable, and can be processed to form various formulations. In the current review, we will discuss the prospects and challenges of chitosan-based drug delivery systems in treating BC.