A targeted drug delivery system of anti-cancer agents based on folic acid-cyclodextrin-long polymer functionalized silica nanoparticles

Unveiling the synergy: a combined experimental and theoretical study of β-cyclodextrin with melatonin

Melatonin (MT) is a vital hormone controlling biorhythms, and optimizing its release in the human body is crucial. To address MT's unfavorable pharmacokinetics, we explored the inclusion complexes of MT with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). Nano spray drying was applied to efficiently synthesize these complexes in three molar ratios (MT : β-CD = 1 : 1, 2 : 1, and 1 : 2), reducing reagent use and expediting inclusion. The complex powders were characterized through thermal analyses (TGA and DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and in vitro MT release measurements via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In parallel, computational studies were conducted, examining the stability of MT : β-CD complexes by means of unbiased semi-empirical conformational searches refined by DFT, which produced a distribution of MT : β-CD binding enthalpies. Computational findings highlighted that these complexes are stabilized by specific hydrogen bonds and non-specific dispersive forces, with stronger binding in the 1 : 1 complex, which was corroborated by in vitro release data. Furthermore, the alignment between simulated and experimental FTIR spectra demonstrated the quality of both the structural model and computational methodology, which was crucial to enhance our comprehension of optimizing MT's release for therapeutic applications.

Cell-Penetrating Peptidic GRP78 Ligand-Conjugated Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanoparticles for Tumor-Targeted Doxorubicin Delivery and Imaging

Although chemotherapy is regarded as an essential option in cancer treatment, it is still far from being perfect. Inadequate tumor drug concentration and systemic toxicity along with broad biodistribution have diminished the utility of chemotherapy. Tumor-targeting peptide-conjugated multifunctional nanoplatforms have emerged as an effective strategy for site-directed tumor tissues in cancer treatment and imaging. Herein, Pep42-targeted iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (IONPs) functionalized with β-cyclodextrin (ßCD) containing doxorubicin (DOX) (Fe₃O₄-ßCD-Pep42-DOX) were successfully developed. The physical effects of the prepared NPs were characterized by employing various techniques. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images disclosed that the developed Fe₃O₄-ßCD-Pep42-DOX nanoplatforms had a spherical morphology and a core-shell structure with a size of nearly 17 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy showed that β-cyclodextrin, DOX, and Pep42 molecules were successfully loaded on the IONPs. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis revealed that the fabricated multifunctional Fe₃O₄-ßCD-Pep42 nanoplatforms possessed excellent biosafety toward BT-474, MDA-MB468 (cancerous cells), and MCF10A normal cells, while Fe₃O₄-ßCD-Pep42-DOX exhibited great cancer cell killing ability. The high cellular uptake along with intracellular trafficking of Fe₃O₄-ßCD-Pep42-DOX highlights the usefulness of the Pep42-targeting peptide. In vivo results strongly supported the in vitro results, i.e., significant tumor size reduction was observed by single-dose injection of Fe₃O₄-ßCD-Pep42-DOX into tumor-bearing mice. Interestingly, in vivo MR imaging (MRI) of Fe₃O₄-ßCD-Pep42-DOX revealed T₂ contrast improvement in the tumor cells and therapeutic ability in cancer theranostics. Taken together, these findings provided strong evidence for the potential capability of Fe₃O₄-ßCD-Pep42-DOX as a multifunctional nanoplatform in cancer therapy and imaging and opens up a new avenue of research in this area.

Folate Conjugated Polyethylene Glycol Probe for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil

A targeted delivery system is primarily intended to carry a potent anticancer drug to specific tumor sites within the bodily tissues. In the present study, a carrier system has been designed using folic acid (FA), bis-amine polyethylene glycol (PEG), and an anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). FA and PEG were joined via an amide bond, and the resulting FA-PEG-NH₂ was coupled to 5-FU producing folate-polyethylene glycol conjugated 5-fluorouracil (FA-PEG-5-FU). Spectroscopic techniques (UV-Vis, ¹HNMR, FTIR, and HPLC) were used for the characterization of products. Prodrug (FA-PEG-5-FU) was analyzed for drug release profile (in vitro) up to 10 days and compared to a standard anticancer drug (5-FU). Folate conjugate was also analyzed to study its folate receptors (FR) mediated transport and in vitro cytotoxicity assays using HeLa cancer cells/Vero cells, respectively, and antitumor activity in tumor-bearing mice models. Folate conjugate showed steady drug release patterns and improved uptake in the HeLa cancer cells than Vero cells. Folate conjugate treated mice group showed smaller tumor volumes; specifically after the 15th day post-treatment, tumor sizes were decreased significantly compared to the standard drug group (5-FU). Molecular docking findings demonstrated importance of Trp138, Trp140, and Lys136 in the stabilization of flexible loop flanking the active site. The folic acid conjugated probe has shown the potential of targeted drug delivery and sustained release of anticancer drug to tumor lesions with intact antitumor efficacy.

Interaction of folate - Linked silica nanoparticles with HeLa cells: Analysis and investigation the effect of polymer length

This work is a continuance to our previous findings on silica nanoparticles (NPs) modified with diamine polymer, carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (CM-β-CD) and folic acid (FA), respectively. When four different polymer lengths (D230, D400, D2000 and D4000) were analyzed, the release rate of anticancer agents was inversely related to the polymer length while the cell toxicity was directly related to the length. We investigate here the effect of polymer length on the extent of cellular interaction with HeLa cells. The mean particle size, the polydispersity (PD) and the zeta potential of the NPs were measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS), the quantitative analysis of the extent of NPs' interaction was studied using fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to qualitatively visualize them. The particle size increased by increasing the polymer length, the PD values were within the acceptable ranges (0.3−0.5) and the zeta potential was in the range of (−16 to −20 mV). A direct relation was observed between the fluorescence intensity and the length. All modified NPs were capable of entering the cells, however a greater number of NPs with long polymers was observed compared to short polymers. Thus, the direct relation of polymer length to the cell toxicity is due to the release rate behavior and the enhanced interaction of NPs which possess long polymers.

Glutamate-urea-based PSMA-targeted PLGA nanoparticles for prostate cancer delivery of docetaxel

Targeted drug delivery is a tool to make treatment more specific, selective, and effective and to prevent unwanted complications. Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a useful biomarker in order to monitor and control prostate cancer. Glutamate-Urea-R (Glu-Urea-R) is a PSMA enzyme inhibitor capable of binding to this surface marker of prostate cancer cell in an efficient and special manner. The aim of this project was to develop a docetaxel-loaded nanoparticle of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) polyethylene glycol which is cojugated to a urea-based anti-PSMA ligand named glutamate-urea-lysine (glu-urea-lys) for targeted delivery of docetaxel in prostate cancer. The obtained nanoparticles, prepared by nanoprecipitation method, were spheres with a particle size of around 150 nm and zeta potential of -7.08 mV. Uptake studies on the PC3 (as PSMA negative) and LNCaP (as PSMA positive) cells demonstrated that drug uptake was efficient by the PSMA positive cells. IC50 of targeted NPs on LNCaP cell line compared to non-targeted ones was reduced by more than 70% in three different incubation times of 24, 48, and 72 h. In conclusion, the nanoparticles are expected to specifically transport docetaxel to PSMA-positive prostate cancer cells and consequently, enhance the antitumor efficacy of docetaxel on these cells.

Role of Folic Acid in the Therapeutic Action of Nanostructured Porous Silica Functionalized with Organotin(IV) Compounds Against Different Cancer Cell Lines

The synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity against different cancer cell lines of various mesoporous silica-based materials containing folate targeting moieties and a cytotoxic fragment based on a triphenyltin(IV) derivative have been studied. Two different mesoporous nanostructured silica systems have been used: firstly, micronic silica particles of the MSU-2 type and, secondly, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of about 80 nm. Both series of materials have been characterized by different methods, such as powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, absorption spectroscopy and microscopy. In addition, these systems have been tested against four different cancer cell lines, namely, OVCAR-3, DLD-1, A2780 and A431, in order to observe if the size of the silica-based systems and the quantity of incorporated folic acid influence their cytotoxic action. The results show that the materials are more active when the quantity of folic acid is higher, especially in those cells that overexpress folate receptors such as OVCAR-3 and DLD-1. In addition, the study of the potential modulation of the soluble folate receptor alpha (FOLR1) by treatment with the synthesized materials has been carried out using OVCAR-3, DLD-1, A2780 and A431 tumour cell lines. The results show that a relatively high concentration of folic acid functionalization of the nanostructured silica together with the incorporation of the cytotoxic tin fragment leads to an increase in the quantity of the soluble FOLR1 secreted by the tumour cells. In addition, the studies reported here show that this increase of the soluble FOLR1 occurs presumably by cutting the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor of membrane FR-α and by the release of intracellular FR-α. This study validates the potential use of a combination of mesoporous silica materials co-functionalized with folate targeting molecules and an organotin(IV) drug as a strategy for the therapeutic treatment of several cancer cells overexpressing folate receptors.

Delivery of Doxorubicin for Human Cervical Carcinoma Targeting Therapy by Folic Acid-Modified Selenium Nanoparticles

Cancer-specific drug delivery represents an attractive approach to preventing undesirable side effects and increasing the accumulation of the drug in tumors. The surface modification of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) with targeting moieties thus represents an effective strategy for cancer therapy. In this study, SeNPs were modified with folic acid (FA), whose receptors were overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells, including human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells, to fabricate tumor-targeting delivery carrier FA-SeNPs nanoparticles. Then, the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded onto the surface of the FA-SeNPs for improving the antitumor efficacy of DOX in human cervical carcinoma therapy. The chemical structure characterization of FA-Se@DOX showed that DOX was successfully loaded to the surface of FA-SeNPs to prepare FA-Se@DOX nanoparticles. FA-Se@DOX exhibited significant cellular uptake in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells (folate receptor overexpressing cells) in comparison with lung cancer A549 cells (folate receptor deficiency cells), and entered HeLa cells mainly by the clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway. Compared to free DOX or Se@DOX at the equivalent dose of DOX, FA-Se@DOX showed obvious activity to inhibit HeLa cells' proliferation and induce the apoptosis of HeLa cells. More importantly, FA-Se@DOX could specifically accumulate in the tumor site, which contributed to the significant antitumor efficacy of FA-Se@DOX in vivo. Taken together, FA-Se@DOX may be one novel promising drug candidate for human cervical carcinoma therapy.

The effect of polymer length on the in vitro characteristics of a drug loaded and targeted silica nanoparticles

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of polymer length on the in vitro characteristics of thymoquinone-melatonin (TQ-MLT) when loaded into our previously prepared targeted drug delivery system (TDDS). Our system constructed from silica nanoparticles (NPs) and modified with diamine polymer (D4000), carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (CM-β-CD) and folic acid (FA), respectively. In this study, three other different lengths of polymers (D230, D400 and D2000) were used and compared to D4000. The surface modification was characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the mean particle size as well as polydispersity (PD) was measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results, in general, showed that the release rate increases as the polymer length decreases. Also, shorter polymers showed an obvious burst release of most of the drug within the first hour. On the other hand, longer polymers exhibited a more sustained release in a pulsatile manner, with two moderate drug burst patterns occurred within the first and the last few hours. The in vitro cell viability assay showed that the percentage of cell toxicity toward HeLa cells increases with increasing the polymer length.