Dual-Responsive Drug-Delivery System Based on PEG-Functionalized Pillararenes Containing Disulfide and Amido Bonds...

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Smart drug-delivery systems enhance tumor chemotherapy efficacy.
• Amphiphilic pillararenes offer multi-responsive properties for drug delivery.
• Developing novel nanocarriers is crucial for advanced cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel supramolecular nanocarrier for drug delivery.
• To investigate the dual stimulus-responsive properties of the nanocarrier.
• To evaluate the cancer theranostics ability of the drug-loaded nanocarrier.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of PEG-functionalized pillararene (EtP5-SS-PEG) with disulfide and amido bonds.
• Construction of supramolecular nanocarriers via host-guest interaction with perylene diimide derivative (PDI-2NH4).
• Loading of doxorubicin (DOX) and assessment of drug release and theranostic capabilities.

Main Results:

• The EtP5-SS-PEG/PDI-2NH4 nanocarrier demonstrated good drug loading capacity.
• The nanocarrier exhibited dual responsiveness to enzymes and glutathione (GSH).
• The doxorubicin-loaded nanodrugs showed efficient drug release and significant cancer theranostics ability.

Conclusions:

• A novel dual stimulus-responsive supramolecular nanocarrier was successfully developed.
• The pillararene-based nanocarrier shows promise for improving tumor chemotherapy and cancer theranostics.
• This system offers a potential strategy for advanced cancer treatment applications.