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Published on: May 10, 2020
Exploring naturally occurring ivy nanoparticles as an alternative biomaterial
Yujian Huang1, Yi-Jun Wang2, Yongzhong Wang1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
English ivy nanoparticles (INPs) show potential as drug delivery systems and in tissue engineering. These biocompatible nanoparticles effectively deliver chemotherapy drugs and enhance cell adhesion in novel scaffolds, opening new avenues in nanomedicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanomedicine
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Arabinogalactan protein (AGP)-rich nanoparticles from English ivy (Hedera helix) exhibit favorable properties for nanomedicine.
- These ivy nanoparticles (INPs) possess excellent aqueous solubility, low viscosity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate ivy nanoparticles (INPs) as nano-carriers for chemotherapy drug delivery.
- To assess INPs as nano-fillers for developing novel tissue engineering scaffolds.
- To explore the potential of INPs in cancer therapy and regenerative medicine.
Main Methods:
- Formation of pH-responsive nanoconjugates using INPs and doxorubicin (DOX) via electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays of INP-DOX conjugates against cancer cell lines.
- In vivo xenograft assays using DOX-resistant SW620/Ad-300 cells in nude mice.
- Development of collagen-based fibrous scaffolds incorporating INPs as nano-fillers.
Main Results:
- An entrapment ratio of 77.9±3.9% was achieved for DOX within INPs.
- INP-DOX conjugates demonstrated significantly enhanced cytotoxic activity against cancer cells compared to free DOX.
- In vivo studies showed reduced tumor volumes in mice treated with INP-DOX conjugates.
- Scaffolds with INPs exhibited enhanced smooth muscle cell (SMC) adhesion and proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Ivy nanoparticles (INPs) show significant potential as biocompatible nanomaterials for nanomedicine.
- INPs can be effectively utilized as drug delivery vehicles and in tissue engineering scaffolds.
- This research opens new possibilities for naturally occurring nanomaterials in biomedical applications.
