pH-sensitive Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles Encapsulating β-Hydroxyisovalerylshikonin for Targeted Pancreatic Cancer
Haifeng Zhang1, Qiuhui Wang1, Shangdong Wang2
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Ruian People's Hospital, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325200, China.
Background:
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, and current treatment methods have limited effectiveness. Therefore, developing new and more effective therapeutic strategies is crucial. This study aims to establish pH-responsive silk fibroin (SF) nanoparticles encapsulating β-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin (SF@β-HIVS) to enhance the therapeutic effects against pancreatic cancer.
Methods:
SF@β-HIVS nanoparticles were prepared using a self-assembly technique and characterized under different pH conditions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The effects of SF@β-HIVS on the viability, apoptosis, and migration of PANC-1 cells were assessed through in vitro experiments. Additionally, in vivo experiments using a PANC-1 xenograft mouse model evaluated the antitumor activity and biosafety of SF@β-HIVS.
Results:
SF@β-HIVS nanoparticles exhibited a uniformly distributed spherical structure under pH 7.4 conditions and rapidly disintegrated in acidic environments, releasing the drug. In vitro experiments demonstrated that SF@β-HIVS significantly inhibited PANC-1 cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed cell migration. In vivo, experiments confirmed the significant antitumor activity and good biosafety of SF@β-HIVS.
Conclusion:
This study successfully developed pH-responsive SF@β-HIVS nanoparticles and validated their potential in treating pancreatic cancer. These findings provided a foundation for the clinical application of SF@β-HIVS in pancreatic cancer treatment.
