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Updated: Jul 23, 2025
Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of pH-sensitive doxorubicin-loaded functionalized graphene oxide in
Forough Alemi1,2, Masomeh Maleki2, Mostafa Mir3
1Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of medical sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Introduction:
Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most common drugs in cancer treatment. However, its partial solubility along with the high incidence of side effects remains a challenge to tackle. To address these issues, we designed a formulation based on graphene oxide (GO) and used it as an anticancer drug delivery system.
Methods:
The physical and chemical properties of the formulation were studied using FTIR, SEM, EDX, Mapping, and XRD. Release studies in the in vitro condition were used to evaluate the pH sensitivity of drug release from nanocarriers. Other in vitro studies, including uptake assay, MTT, and apoptosis assay were carried out on the osteosarcoma cell line.
Results:
in vitro release studies confirmed that the synthesized formulation provides a better payload release profile in acidic conditions, which is usually the case in the tumor site. On the OS cell line, the cytotoxicity of the DOX-loaded nanocarrier (IC50=0.293 μg/mL) and early apoptosis rate (33.80 % ) were higher in comparison to free DOX (IC50=0.472 μg/mL, and early apoptosis rate= 8.31 % ) after 48 hours.
Conclusion:
In summary, our results suggest a DOX-loaded graphene oxide carrier as a potential platform for targeting cancer cells.
Insights
This study introduces a novel graphene oxide (GO) formulation for delivering doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug. The GO-based system enhances DOX
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used chemotherapy drug, but its limited solubility and significant side effects pose challenges in cancer treatment.
- Developing effective drug delivery systems is crucial to improve the therapeutic index of existing chemotherapeutics like DOX.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a graphene oxide (GO)-based nanocarrier for improved doxorubicin (DOX) delivery.
- To investigate the physicochemical properties, pH-sensitive drug release, and in vitro anticancer efficacy of the DOX-loaded GO formulation.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of the graphene oxide-doxorubicin formulation using FTIR, SEM, EDX, Mapping, and XRD.
- In vitro studies including pH-dependent drug release, cellular uptake, MTT cytotoxicity assays, and apoptosis assays on osteosarcoma cells.
Main Results:
- The GO formulation demonstrated pH-sensitive release of DOX, with enhanced release in acidic conditions mimicking the tumor microenvironment.
- DOX-loaded GO nanocarriers exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity (IC50=0.293 μg/mL) and induced a higher early apoptosis rate (33.80%) compared to free DOX (IC50=0.472 μg/mL, 8.31%) in osteosarcoma cells after 48 hours.
Conclusions:
- Graphene oxide serves as a promising nanocarrier for doxorubicin delivery, enhancing its efficacy against cancer cells.
- The developed DOX-loaded GO system shows potential as an effective platform for targeted cancer therapy.
