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Targeted chitosan nanoparticles embedded into graphene oxide functionalized with caffeic acid as a potential drug
Bushra Tousian1, Mohammad Hadi Ghasemi2, Ali Reza Khosravi1
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, PO Box 1419963111, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
As a novel drug delivery technology, chitosan (CHI) nanoparticles are encapsulated in graphene oxide (GO) with caffeic acid (CA). The nanocarrier technique combines targeted drug delivery with molecular imaging to provide new cancer insights. Attachment of CA, an anticancer agent for controlled drug release, to functionalized graphene oxide (GON) utilizing 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was followed by encapsulation of GO with folic acid (FA) attached CHI to produce this novel system. FT-IR was used to characterize and confirm the chemical production process. Brunau-Emmet-Teller (BET) analysis was used to validate multi-holes and nanometric dimensions (1-100 nm) and assess their drug administration use. Release and loading tests showed a pH dependence and implied CA hydrogen-bonding in GON. CA encapsulation and loading percentages are 86 % and 67 %, respectively. The acidic environment (pH 5.3) of tumor cells may produce a larger release of CA, and the release rate of CA maintains a constant trend, indicating the drug is released for more than a week (because the release rate has not reached zero). The proposed method provides a potential candidate for a novel drug delivery system in cancer therapy. The resulting nanohybrid system is a new way to combine biodegradable materials, that can be used in biomedical applications.
Insights
This study introduces a novel nanocarrier system using chitosan nanoparticles and graphene oxide for targeted drug delivery of caffeic acid (CA). This innovative approach enhances cancer therapy by combining drug release with molecular imaging capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Chitosan (CHI) nanoparticles and graphene oxide (GO) are explored for advanced drug delivery.
- Caffeic acid (CA) is an anticancer agent with potential for controlled release applications.
- Combining targeted delivery with molecular imaging offers new avenues for cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel nanohybrid drug delivery system encapsulating caffeic acid (CA) within functionalized graphene oxide (GON) and chitosan (CHI) nanoparticles.
- To characterize the nanocarrier for its potential in cancer therapy and biomedical applications.
- To investigate the pH-dependent release of CA from the nanocarrier system.
Main Methods:
- Functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) followed by attachment of caffeic acid (CA).
- Encapsulation of functionalized graphene oxide (GON) with folic acid (FA)-conjugated chitosan (CHI) nanoparticles.
- Characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis.
- Evaluation of drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release kinetics at varying pH levels.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis and characterization of the nanohybrid system with nanometric dimensions (1-100 nm).
- High encapsulation efficiency (86%) and loading capacity (67%) for caffeic acid (CA).
- Demonstrated pH-dependent release of CA, with accelerated release in acidic tumor microenvironments (pH 5.3).
- Sustained release of CA for over a week, indicating prolonged therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanohybrid system shows significant promise as a novel drug delivery platform for cancer therapy.
- The combination of biodegradable materials (CHI) and graphene oxide (GO) offers a versatile approach for biomedical applications.
- The targeted and controlled release of CA highlights the potential of this system for enhanced anticancer efficacy.
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