Acoustic cavitation induced generation of stabilizer-free, extremely stable reduced graphene oxide nanodispersion for efficient delivery of paclitaxel in cancer cells

Abstract

Graphene is one of the highly explored nanomaterials due to its unique and extraordinary properties. In this study, by utilizing a hydrothermal reduction method, graphene oxide (GO) was successfully converted to reduced graphene oxide (RGO) without using any toxic reducing agents. Following this, with the use of ultrasonic cavitation, profoundly stable few layer thick RGO nanodispersion was generated without employing any stabilizers or surfactants. During ultrasonication, shockwaves from the collapse of bubbles cause a higher dispersing energy to the graphene nanosheets which surpass the forces of Van der Waal's and π-π stacking and thus pave the way to form a stable aqueous nanodispersion of graphene. Ultrasonication systems with different power intensity have been employed to determine the optimum conditions for obtaining the most stable RGO dispersion. The optimised conditions of ultrasonic treatments led to the development of a very stable reduced graphene oxide (RGO) aqueous dispersion. The stability was observed for two years and was analyzed by using Zetasizer by measuring the particle size and zeta potential at regular intervals and found to have exceptional stability. The excellent stability at physiological pH promotes its utilization in nano drug delivery application as a carrier for Paclitaxel (Ptx), an anticancer drug. The in vitro cytotoxicity analysis of Ptx loaded RGO nanodispersion by MTT assay performed on the cell lines revealed the potential of the nanodispersion as a suitable drug carrier. Studies on normal lung cells, MRC-5 and nasopharyngeal cancer cells, HK-1 supported the biocompatibility of RGO-Ptx towards normal cell line. This investigation shows the potential of exceptionally stable RGO-Ptx nanodispersion in nano drug delivery applications.

Optical Graphene-Based Biosensor for Nucleic Acid Detection; Influence of Graphene Functionalization and Ionic Strength

“…This increased stability of rGO-PEG-NH 2 to mechanical stimuli could be justified by the relative lack of defects and functionalities of the reduced graphene layer, that could strengthen the carbon sheet framework. Nonetheless, common features of 2D carbon nanomaterials, such as wrinkles and overall irregularity persisted for the three materials, so they could continue to support the adsorption of ssDNA [ 37 , 38 ].…”

Graphene Oxide (GO)-based Nanosheets With Combined Chemo/photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy to Overcome Gastric Cancer (GC) Paclitaxel Resistance by Reducing Mitochondria-Derived Adenosine-Triphosphate (ATP)

“…Accompanied strong production of ROS in mitochondria was also observed (Figure 6C), which could react on the total growth of ROS in cells and the vicious circle of mitochondrial damage in turn. We further investigated the relative contribution of PTT on ROS generation and mitochondrial damage, while our results showed that PTT alone did not signi cantly increase ROS or injury mitochondria ((Supplemental materials, Figure S14, [15][16][17]. Taken together, our research indicated that PDT seemed to play a powerful role on ROS generation and mitochondrial damage, thus help exert super-additive therapeutic e ciency of PTX@GO-PEG-OSA NSs.…”

“…As is known, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most frequently-used reagents in biology owing to its high solubility in organic solvents, minimal toxicity and protein-resistance, and PEG-modi ed GO (GO-PEG) nanosheets (NSs) showed higher stability and better biocompatibility [13]. Studies have shown that PTXloaded GO-based nano-DDSs have advantages on improving drug solubility and bioavailability, promoting cytotoxicity to cancer cells through enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR) and reducing toxic side effects, compared to conventional PTX [15]. Meanwhile, pH-responsive smart drug delivery could help release PTX toward the nucleus and then induce more cancer cells death [16].…”

Pulmonary Delivery of Reactive Oxygen Species/Glutathione-Responsive Paclitaxel Dimeric Nanoparticles Improved Therapeutic Indices against Metastatic Lung Cancer

“… The FT-IR spectrum of pristine PTX revealed its characteristic absorption bands of O–H, C–H, CO ester, CO amide, and C–O–C stretching, which appeared at 3438, 2925, 1731, 1646, and 1239 cm –1 , respectively. In addition, its aromatic C–H bending peak emerged at 710 cm –1 (Figure A) . Most of these peaks of PTX remained unchanged in the FT-IR spectra of β–PTX–CC–PTX and β–PTX–SS–PTX with few alterations.…”