Mn(ii) mediated degradation of artemisinin based on Fe₃O₄@MnSiO₃-FA nanospheres for cancer therapy in vivo

Abstract

Artemisinin (ART) is a natural drug with potent anticancer activities related with Fe(2+) mediated cleavage of the endoperoxide bridge in ART. Herein, we reported that Mn(2+) could substitute for Fe(2+) to react with ART and generate toxic products, inducing a much higher anticancer efficiency. On this basis, we prepared pH-responsive Fe3O4@MnSiO3-FA nanospheres which can efficiently deliver hydrophobic ART into tumors in mice models. Mn(2+) was released in acidic tumor environments and intracellular lysosomes, interacting with ART to kill cancer cells. The ART-loaded nanocarriers could suppress tumor growth more efficiently than free ART, which could be further illustrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histological analysis revealed that the drug delivery system had no obvious effect on the major organs of mice. ART has been reported to have lower toxicity than chemotherapeutics. The ART-loaded nanocarriers are promising to be used in improving the survival of chemotherapy patients, providing a novel method for clinical tumor therapy.

Artemisinin as an anticancer drug: Recent advances in target profiling and mechanisms of action

“…In principle, drug encapsulation can improve specificity and bioavailability as well as alter pharmacokinetic properties of the drug. 135 The recent years have seen a remarkable surge of studies exploring various approaches in nanomedicine, ranging from liposomal delivery, [136][137][138][139][140][141] encapsulation with other drugs or biomolecules including transferrin, [142][143][144][145] encapsulation with specific properties such as magnetic or pH-responsive liposomes, [143][144][145][146] novel metal based nanostructures, 146,147 solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and niosomes. 148 In general, these studies have consistently reported positive results with significant enhancements to efficacy and improved selectivity.…”

Progress in nano-drug delivery of artemisinin and its derivatives: towards to use in immunomodulatory approaches

“…Chen and coworkers prepared pH-responsive Fe 3 O 4 @MnSiO 3 -FA NPs aiming the efficiently deliver of ART and Mn 2þ into tumours in mice models. Manganese ions released in acidic environments and intracellular lysosomes could interact with ART to kill cancer cells [54]. The magnetic titanium nanocomposites coated with hyaluronic acid (HA-TiO 2 -IONPs) containing ART exhibited high cytotoxicity in MCF-7 lines and combined with laser irradiation provided best anti-tumour efficacy [55].…”

Magnetic and fluorescent carbon-based nanohybrids for multi-modal imaging and magnetic field/NIR light responsive drug carriers

“…So far, a variety of imaging technologies have been developed and used in clinical medicine, including MRI, 62 FOI, 63 X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging, 64 positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging, 65 and ultrasound imaging. 67,68 For example, preclinical photoacoustic (PA) imaging is a hybrid modality, combining the highcontrast and spectroscopic-based specificity of optical imaging with the high spatial resolution of ultrasound imaging. MRI has exceptional spatial resolution but lacks sensitivity.…”