Interconnected hyaluronic acid derivative-based nanoparticles for anticancer drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used chemotherapy drug with limitations in targeted delivery.
• Developing advanced nanoparticle systems can improve DOX efficacy and reduce side effects.
• Hyaluronic acid-ceramide (HACE) based nanoparticles offer potential for drug delivery applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize interconnected HACE-based nanoparticles for enhanced doxorubicin delivery.
• To evaluate the in vitro anti-tumor efficacy and cellular uptake of these novel nanoparticles.
• To assess the safety profile of the synthesized interconnected HACE structures.

Main Methods:

• Interconnected HACE was synthesized via cross-linking HACE with adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH).
• Doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared and characterized for size, zeta potential, and morphology.
• In vitro drug release, cellular uptake (confocal laser scanning microscopy, flow cytometry), and cytotoxicity (MTS assay) were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Interconnected HACE-based NPs exhibited enhanced DOX loading capacity and in vitro drug release compared to HACE NPs.
• DOX release demonstrated pH-dependent behavior, suggesting tumor-specific release.
• Higher cellular uptake and superior in vitro anti-tumor efficacy were observed for DOX-loaded interconnected HACE NPs.
• Synthesized interconnected HACE showed no cytotoxicity up to 1000 μg/ml.

Conclusions:

• Interconnected HACE-based nanoparticles represent a promising platform for efficient tumor-targeted delivery of anticancer drugs like DOX.
• The enhanced properties of interconnected HACE NPs suggest improved therapeutic potential.
• These findings support the further development of HACE-based nanocarriers for cancer therapy.