Nanodroplets Engineered with Folate Carbon Dots for Enhanced Cancer Cell Uptake toward Theranostic Application

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Nanotherapeutics are rapidly advancing, with a focus on nanoconstructs for improved drug delivery.
• Folate receptor-mediated targeting offers a strategy for selective delivery of therapeutics to cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize novel folate-based carbon dot-decorated nanodroplets (f-Dnm) for targeted drug delivery.
• To evaluate the drug loading, release kinetics, stability, and biocompatibility of the engineered nanodroplets.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of f-Dnm from folic acid carbon dots (f-CDs) and branched polyethylenimine (PEI).
• Characterization of nanodroplet size, morphology, photoluminescence, and surface potential.
• Assessment of colloidal and photostability, pH-dependent self-assembly/disassembly, drug loading (doxorubicin), and in vitro release.
• Cytocompatibility (MTT assay), cellular uptake, and hemolysis assays were performed.

Main Results:

• Uniform spherical f-Dnm (115 ± 15 nm) with photoluminescence were synthesized via electrostatic interactions.
• f-Dnm exhibited excellent colloidal/photostability, high drug loading capacity (~90%), and pH-responsive drug release (5x higher at pH 5.4 vs 7.4).
• Nontoxic f-Dnm demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity in cancer cells and increased cellular uptake in folate receptor-positive cells, with validated biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• Engineered f-Dnm are stable, efficient nanocarriers with pH-triggered drug release capabilities.
• The nanodroplets show promise as a nontoxic nanotherapeutic platform for targeting folate receptor-positive cancers.
• This study highlights the potential of f-Dnm for advanced drug delivery applications in nanomedicine.