Co-Administration of Chemo-Phototherapeutic Loaded Lignin Nanoarchitecture for the Treatment of Skin Cancer Cell Lines and Bacterial Infections

Abstract

Epidermoid carcinoma is the utmost frequent type of skin cancer worldwide resulting in bacterial infection-induced chronic wounds. The primary available treatment option is surgery and subsequent skin transplantation, which is challenging in terms of associated pain, full cure, skin regeneration, and cost. Combinatorial chemo-phototherapy involving photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy can be a potential treatment for skin cancers and associated chronic wounds. Herein, we devised a multidrug-loaded nanoformulation (RB@CPT-LNPs) by encapsulating Camptothecin (CPT, a chemotherapeutic agent) into biocompatible lignin nanoparticles (LNPs), followed by surface conjugation with Rose Bengal (RB, a photosensitizer). The RB@CPT-LNPs were found to be highly stable (polydispersity, <0.3) in an aqueous solution with size and Zeta potential 170 nm and −14.7 mV, respectively. The RB@CPT-LNPs showed efficient reactive oxygen species generation (ΦΔ, 0.74) in vitro when activated by light. Importantly, RB@CPT-LNPs showed augmented anticancer activity in skin cancer cells (A431) upon 525 nm laser irradiation compared with a single treatment (photodynamic therapy or chemotherapy). Further, the formulation also showed high photodynamic antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, the developed RB@CPT-LNP formulation could offer an effective strategy for the elimination of skin cancer and skin-tumor-induced chronic wounds.