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Development and Evaluation of Crocetin-Functionalized Pegylated Magnetite Nanoparticles for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Sulafa Ibrahim1, Badriya Baig2, Soleiman Hisaindee1
1Department of Chemistry, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Abstract:
Liver cancer remains among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This is due to many reasons, including limitations of available drugs, late diagnosis due to the overlapping symptoms with many other liver diseases, and lack of effective screening modalities. Compared to conventional chemotherapy, targeted drug delivery systems are advantageous in many ways, as they minimize drug resistance and improve therapeutic value for cancer patients. Nanomaterials, in general, and nanoparticles, in particular, possess nm size, which provides a high surface area for a great extent of functionalization to be used for the targeted delivery of cancer drugs. Amongst the different formulations of nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have unique chemical and physical characteristics and magnetic behavior, making them preferable candidates as a core for drug delivery systems. To maintain the nanosized structure of MNPs, a polymeric coating is usually applied to maintain the nanoparticles dispersed in the solution. Moreover, the polymeric coating provides a plate form for carrying drug molecules on its surface. In the present study, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-coated MNPs were successfully synthesized, where the optimum concentration of PEG on the surface of the MNPs was investigated. The PEG-coated MNPs were further coated with crocetin at different concentrations. The crocetin-coated pegylated MNPs were evaluated in vitro using a hepatic cell line (HepG2) for up to 72 h. Results showed good release kinetics under acidic and neutral conditions. The optimally prepared drug delivery system showed a high potential for reducing the HepG2 cell proliferation in vitro using an MTT assay. The calculated IC50 for Cro-PEG-MNPs were 0.1019, 0.0903, and 0.0462 mg/mL of 5×, 10× and 20×, respectively.
Insights
This study developed magnetic nanoparticles coated with poly(ethylene glycol) and crocetin for targeted liver cancer drug delivery. The novel system effectively reduced liver cancer cell proliferation in vitro, showing promise for improved cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Liver cancer is a leading cause of death globally, with limited treatment options and diagnostic challenges.
- Targeted drug delivery systems, particularly those using nanomaterials, offer advantages over conventional chemotherapy by improving efficacy and reducing resistance.
- Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are promising for drug delivery due to their unique magnetic properties and high surface area for functionalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for targeted drug delivery.
- To functionalize PEG-MNPs with crocetin and evaluate their efficacy in vitro against liver cancer cells.
- To determine the optimal concentration of PEG and crocetin for effective liver cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PEG-coated MNPs and subsequent coating with varying concentrations of crocetin.
- In vitro evaluation of crocetin-coated PEG-MNPs using HepG2 liver cancer cell line over 72 hours.
- Assessment of drug release kinetics under acidic and neutral conditions and cell proliferation inhibition using MTT assay.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of PEG-coated MNPs with optimized PEG concentration.
- Demonstrated good drug release kinetics under both acidic and neutral pH conditions.
- The optimally prepared crocetin-coated PEG-MNPs significantly inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation, with calculated IC50 values indicating dose-dependent efficacy.
Conclusions:
- The developed crocetin-coated PEG-MNPs represent a promising targeted drug delivery system for liver cancer.
- This system demonstrates significant potential for reducing liver cancer cell proliferation in vitro.
- Further research into in vivo applications could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for liver cancer patients.
