pH-Responsive Modified Dextran Nanogel for Liver Targeted Doxorubicin Delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanomedicine
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Effective cancer therapy relies on safe and targeted drug delivery to minimize systemic toxicity.
• Smart hydrogel nanoparticles offer a promising platform for stimulus-responsive and efficient drug carriers.
• Developing biocompatible carriers is crucial for advancing nanomedicine applications in oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a bio-safe, pH-sensitive nanohydrogel for targeted delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) to liver cancer cells.
• To functionalize the nanohydrogel with lactobionate (SL) for enhanced liver targeting.
• To evaluate the drug release profile and in vitro cytotoxicity of the DOX-loaded nanohydrogel.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of polyaminoethyl methacrylamide (AEMA)-grafted dextran nanohydrogel.
• Conjugation of lactobionate (SL) as a targeting moiety and doxorubicin (DOX) via Schiff base linkage.
• Characterization using 1HNMR, FT-IR, SEC; DOX release studies via UV-Vis spectroscopy; in vitro cytotoxicity assays on HepG2 and L929 cell lines.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis and characterization of the pH-sensitive nanohydrogel.
• Demonstrated pH-responsive release of doxorubicin (DOX) in simulated conditions.
• In vitro studies confirmed the biosafety of the hydrogel and its efficacy in delivering anticancer drugs to HepG2 cells.

Conclusions:

• The developed pH-sensitive nanohydrogel is a safe and effective carrier for liver-targeted doxorubicin delivery.
• The targeted approach enhances the potential for improved cancer therapy with reduced side effects.
• This nanomedicine strategy holds significant promise for advancing smart drug delivery systems in oncology.