Doxorubicin-Loaded Squid Pen Plaster: A Natural Drug Delivery System for Cancer Cells

The native structure of the β-chitin in the gladius (squid pen) of Loligo vulgaris squid can be used as a natural plaster to entrap and release a model drug, doxorubicin, in a targeted and controlled way. Local pH determines the protonation state of the doxorubicin molecules, controlling the two phenomena. Confocal microscopy shows that doxorubicin is uniformly embedded in the β-chitin squid pen and is not simply adsorbed on its surface. Coculture with HeLa cells reveals that the β-chitin squid pen plaster is perfectly biocompatible, while when it is loaded with doxorubicin it shows high cytotoxicity toward the cancer cells. The drug, once released, rapidly accumulates inside the cells. In conclusion, the native structure of a β-chitin squid pen can be potentially applied as a "green" pH-responsive drug vehicle for controlled release.