pH-sensitive nanocarriers
can effectively deliver anticancer drugs
to tumors and reduce the adverse effects of conventional chemotherapy.
In this light, we prepared a novel pH-responsive deferasirox (DFX)-loaded
vesicle and comprehensively performed in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies to examine
the properties of the newly synthesized formulation. Physiochemical
assessment of the developed formulations showed that they have an
average size (107 ± 2 nm), negative zeta potential (−29.1
± 1.5 mV), high encapsulation efficiency (84.2 ± 2.6%),
and a pH-responsive release. Using the molecular dynamics simulation,
the structural and dynamic properties of ergosterol-containing niosomes
(ST60/Ergo) in the presence of DFX molecules were analyzed and showed
a good interaction between DFX and vesicle components. Cytotoxic assessment
showed that niosomal DFX exhibited a greater cytotoxic effect than
free DFX in both human cancer cells (MCF-breast cancer and Hela cervical
cancer) and induced evident morphological features of apoptotic cell
death. No marked difference between the ability of free and niosomal
DFX was found in activating caspase-3 in Hela cells. Eight weeks of
intraperitoneal administrations of free DFX at three doses caused
a significant increase in serum biochemical parameters and liver lipid
peroxidation. Treatment with 5 mg/kg dose of niosomal DFX caused a
significant increase in serum creatinine (P <
0.05); however, other parameters remained unchanged. On the other
hand, administration of niosomal DFX at the highest dose (10 mg/kg)
significantly increased serum creatinine (P <
0.05), BUN, and serum liver enzymes compared to the control rats (P < 0.001). Based on the results, the application of
pH-responsive DFX-loaded niosomes, as a novel drug delivery platform,
may yield promising results in cancer treatment.