Anti-cancer efficacy of biotinylated chitosan nanoparticles in liver cancer

Abstract

The present study investigated the synthesis of biotinylated chitosan (Bio-CS) from chitosan using a nanomaterial skeleton with biotin and the successful targeting of the formulation in liver cancer cells. Bio-CS was validated by fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Bio-CS and plasmid DNA were used to construct Bio-CS/plasmid DNA nanoparticles according to the optimal molar ratio of 1:1 and the optimal pH-value of 5.5. Under these conditions, the parameters mean particle size, potential, encapsulation rate and drug loading, were 82.9 nm, +21.8 mV, 85.7% and 35.4%, respectively. Bio-CS exhibited an apparent liver cancer targeting effect in vitro and in vivo, as demonstrated by confocal laser scanning, green fluorescent protein transfection, and in vivo imaging assays. In addition, the Bio-CS/plasmid DNA nanoparticles significantly increased the survival period of the orthotropic liver cancer mouse model compared with the plasmid DNA, with no apparent side effects on the cells. Bio-CS nanomaterials stimulated an immune response in hepatoma cells via increased expression of GM-CSF, IL-21 and Rae-1 markers. The data suggest that Bio-CS increased the inhibition of liver cancer cell proliferation in vitro and the activation of the cellular immunity in vivo.

Anti-Oxidant Activity and Dust-Proof Effect of Chitosan with Different Molecular Weights

“…Chitosan with different molecular weight was firstly considered as a potent factor for determining various biological activities such as anti-oxidant [1,2], anti-bacterial [3,4], anti-cancer [5,6], anti-fungal [7,8], etc. For several decades, many researchers have carried out studies to develop unique methods to prepare chitosan molecules with particular sizes.…”

The potential role of chitosan‐based nanoparticles as drug delivery systems in pancreatic cancer

“…[62][63][64][65][66][67][68] Moreover, some research has worked on delivering drugs like 5-fluorouracil and curcumin to the hepatic cancer site. [69][70][71][72][73] Thus, applying chitosan-based nanoformulations for the treatment of cancer has been proven to be successful but the answer to the main question about the efficacy of these nanoformulations in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PC still remains.…”

“…For cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment, there are also some trials, which have investigated the efficacy of chitosan NPs for delivering siRNAs, cisplatin, carboplatin, bortezomib, HPV DNA vaccine, genistein, and curcumin . Moreover, some research has worked on delivering drugs like 5‐fluorouracil and curcumin to the hepatic cancer site . Thus, applying chitosan‐based nanoformulations for the treatment of cancer has been proven to be successful but the answer to the main question about the efficacy of these nanoformulations in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PC still remains.…”

Liver Cancer: Current and Future Trends Using Biomaterials

“…CNPs have also been used to deliver other molecules and drugs. For example, Bu et al utilized these particles to delivery trans-resveratrol [69], and Cheng et al [70] utilized these particles for gene therapy. Chitosan ability to induce cancer cell death by itself and act also as a drug delivery vehicle make it is a very promising natural polymer for hepatic cancer treatment.…”