Combining Carbon Nanotubes and Chitosan for the Vectorization of Methotrexate to Lung Cancer Cells

Abstract

A hybrid system composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes coated with chitosan was proposed as a pH-responsive carrier for the vectorization of methotrexate to lung cancer. The effective coating of the carbon nanostructure by chitosan, quantified (20% by weight) by thermogravimetric analysis, was assessed by combined scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (N1s signal), respectively. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize the interaction between polysaccharide and carbon counterparts. Methotrexate was physically loaded onto the nanohybrid and the release profiles showed a pH-responsive behavior with higher and faster release in acidic (pH 5.0) vs. neutral (pH 7.4) environments. Empty nanoparticles were found to be highly biocompatible in either healthy (MRC-5) or cancerous (H1299) cells, with the nanocarrier being effective in reducing the drug toxicity on MRC-5 while enhancing the anticancer activity on H1299.

Three-Dimensional Printing Constructs Based on the Chitosan for Tissue Regeneration: State of the Art, Developing Directions and Prospect Trends

“…In this regard, printability, fidelity, viscoelasticity, expense, and cross-linking duration are some of the crucial factors relevant to the choice of bio-inks. The presence of the cells inside the ink to utilize a bio-ink provides the possibility to print 3D structures which are often implanted into impaired bone tissue to enhance cell responses [82,[154][155][156][157][158][159][160][161]. CS can be used as a bio ink either in pure form or in combination with other materials, especially other polymers [154,155].…”

“…Altering manufacturing parameters makes it possible for stimulating natural tissues with tailored biological characteristics appropriate for the recovery of tissues. The advantages of CS are actually broadly described; among the major positive aspects of CS, one can mention the capability to modify properties such as the degradation rate by altering the degree of deacetylation and it's Mw [157][158][159][160][161][162][163][164][165][166][167][168]. Additive components are regularly incorporated into CS in an effort to enhance its printability, fidelity, or to fabricate new cell-laden matrices.…”

Naringenin-Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: A Potential Approach for Site-Specific Remote-Controlled Anticancer Delivery for the Treatment of Lung Cancer Cells

“…Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide [ 1 ], occurring either as small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) or non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) [ 2 ]. Clinically, both neoplasms are characterized as asymptomatic in the initial stage, which leads to late diagnosis when the disease is in a locally advanced or metastatic stage, resulting in high mortality rates [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…However, CNTs show high hydrophobicity and risk of agglomeration, due to the van der Waals interactions [ 9 ]. Moreover, the risk of toxicity of CNTs has been attributed to their shape and patterns [ 3 ]. To decrease their hydrophobicity and toxicological risk, surface modification by the attachment of specific functional groups or molecules through their walls or extremities has been proposed [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Determination of the Total Polyphenols Content and Antioxidant Activity of Echinacea Purpurea Extracts Using Newly Manufactured Glassy Carbon Electrodes Modified with Carbon Nanotubes

“…A disadvantage of using CNTs can be considered the low wettability of their surface, which induces a weak surface bond [28]. This involves improving the mechanical properties of CNTs with chitosan (CS), a natural polysaccharide used in pharmaceutical [29] and medical applications [30,31], having the role of fixing CNTs to the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface and to functionalize the CNTs in order to increase their electroactive surface.…”