Surface-Engineered Multifunctional Eu:Gd₂O₃ Nanoplates for Targeted and pH-Responsive Drug Delivery and Imaging...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Developing novel nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery is crucial for improving cancer therapy efficacy.
• Europium-gadolinium oxide (Eu:Gd2O3) nanostructures offer unique optical and magnetic properties for theranostic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize surface-engineered multifunctional Eu:Gd2O3 triangular nanoplates for targeted drug delivery and imaging.
• To investigate the potential of these nanoplates for delivering both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs to cancer cell nuclei.
• To evaluate their performance as imaging probes in fluorescence imaging and explore their use in magnetic resonance imaging.

Main Methods:

• High-temperature solvothermal synthesis of Eu:Gd2O3 triangular nanoplates.
• Surface functionalization via polyacrylate coating and controlled conjugation chemistry.
• Attachment of folic acid as a targeting ligand and modification of drug molecules for conjugation.
• Incorporation of pH-responsive features for controlled drug release.
• Drug loading studies with daunorubicin and curcumin.
• Fluorescence imaging and preliminary magnetic resonance imaging experiments.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized small, uniform Eu:Gd2O3 triangular nanoplates with engineered surfaces.
• Achieved high drug loading capacities: ~69% for daunorubicin and ~75% for curcumin.
• Demonstrated excellent pH-responsive drug release profiles.
• Confirmed efficient drug delivery to cancer cell nuclei via fluorescence imaging, leading to significant cytotoxic effects.
• Exhibited potential as imaging probes for fluorescence imaging.

Conclusions:

• Surface-engineered Eu:Gd2O3 nanoplates are promising nanobiomaterials for targeted and pH-responsive dual drug delivery to cancer cells.
• These nanomaterials possess small hydrodynamic size, excellent colloidal stability, and high drug-loading capacity.
• The targeted delivery to cell nuclei and subsequent high cytotoxic effect highlight their potential in advanced cancer therapy and biomedical applications.