Nano Enabled Dual-Responsive Drug Carrier Originated from Acetalated Dextran/Carboxylated Nanocellulose-Based...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Targeted drug delivery systems require precise external control to enhance efficacy and minimize side effects.
• Magneto-photoresponsive materials offer dual-stimuli control but face challenges in achieving precise triggering and avoiding phototoxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop biodegradable core-shell microspheres with magneto-photoresponsive properties for enhanced, externally triggered drug delivery.
• To investigate the synergistic effect of magnetic fields and UV light on drug release kinetics and tumor cell targeting.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of biodegradable core-shell microspheres from acetalated dextran (AcD) and citric acid-modified cellulose (CMC).
• Co-loading of microspheres with a photoacid generator (PAG), Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and zerovalent iron (ZVI) for dual-stimuli responsiveness.
• Evaluation of drug release profiles (curcumin, doxorubicin) under combined UV and alternating magnetic field (AMF) stimulation.
• Assessment of cytocompatibility using HEK293 cells and anti-cancer efficacy against HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer models.

Main Results:

• Dual stimulation (UV + AMF) synergistically enhanced photoacid generation and triggered rapid drug release (∼98% in 45-60 min).
• Minimal toxicity observed in healthy HEK293 cells, while doxorubicin-loaded microspheres significantly reduced HepG2 cell viability (∼14% after 24 h).
• Significant disintegration of 3D MCF-7 spheroids and reduced acid phosphatase activity (∼41%) over 21 days, indicating tumor-selective efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Developed a programmable, biodegradable magneto-photoresponsive microsphere system for efficient, externally controlled drug delivery.
• Demonstrated the potential for synergistic dual-stimuli triggering to achieve rapid and localized drug release.
• Highlighted the system's promise for next-generation localized chemotherapy with enhanced tumor selectivity and reduced systemic toxicity.