Dual stimuli-responsive polymeric microgels for enhanced doxorubicin delivery to hepatocellular carcinoma
Journal
Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology
Series/Report No.
Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology
Journal Volume
87
Start Page
104776
ISSN
1773-2247
Date Issued
2023-09-01
Author(s)
Sikhumbuzo Charles Kunene
Kuen-Song Lin
Maria Janina Carrera Espinoza
You-Sheng Lin
Chun-Ming Wu
Wei-Chin Tsai
DOI
10.1016/j.jddst.2023.104776
Abstract
Liver cancer remains a big challenge to treat owing to its recurrence and high rates of metastasis; hence, the treatments for this type of cancer remains unachieved. Recently, polymeric nanogels have become one of the most promising treatments. Herein, pH- and thermo-dependent polymeric core-shell microgels encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) were formulated. The PNIPAM–bPEI microgel morphologies were uniform with well-defined core‐shell nanostructures. The average particle sizes of the microgels and DOX-encapsulated microgels were about 207.3 ± 0.5 and 208.4 ± 0.8 nm, respectively. The positive zeta potentials confirmed the successful preparations of the microgels. The thermal phase transitions of the microgels could be tuned to the anticipated values as a function of pH. The microgels were nontoxic and biocompatible towards HEK293T (normal) and HepG2 (cancer) cell lines, displaying more than 95% cell viability; in contrast, the drug-encapsulated microgels demonstrated substantial therapeutic results. The drug release profiles indicated pH- and thermo-responsive, demonstrating that the Weibull kinetics model was the best fit for the DOX-encapsulated microgels. Furthermore, in vitro intracellular uptake of DOX into HepG2 cells was progressive. Therefore, the prepared dual stimuli polymeric core-shell microgels have potential application significance as novel drug carriers to deliver DOX to HepG2 cells.
SDGs
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article