Bioinspired complex cellulose nanorod-architectures: A model for dual-responsive smart carriers

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Nanomaterials and supramolecular chemistry enable hierarchical structures with enhanced functionality.
• Organic moieties and nanoscale soft material backbones create complex molecular nano-architectures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and investigate a novel nanorod carbohydrate polymer carrier for dual-responsive advanced drug delivery (ADD).
• To develop a system combining K+-ion scavenging with targeted doxorubicin release for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Cross-linking dibenzo-18-crown-6-ether (DB18C6) with bifunctional hairy nanocellulose (BHNC) to create the carrier.
• Labeling the cellulose nanorod carrier with biotin and fluorescein isothiocyanate (BCFB) for enhanced cellular uptake and tracking.
• Evaluating the dual-responsive ADD profiles (pH and K+) in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and KHOS cells.

Main Results:

• The BCFB complex molecular nanorod carriers demonstrated pH and K+-responsiveness for advanced drug delivery.
• The system effectively scavenges K+-ions within cancer cells and releases doxorubicin, disrupting ion homeostasis.
• Biocompatibility was confirmed in MDA-MB-231 cells, with quantified nanoparticle uptake and flow cytometry analysis.

Conclusions:

• The developed cellulose-based nanorod carriers exhibit unique structures and properties for dual-responsive advanced drug delivery.
• The system shows potential for targeted cancer therapy by combining ion homeostasis disruption with drug release.
• These carriers may also find applications as phase transfer catalysts and adsorbents for waterborne contaminants.