β-Lactoglobulin-Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: A Promising Carrier for the Targeted Delivery of Fenbendazole into Prostate Cancer Cells

Abstract

The clinical utilization of fenbendazole (FBZ) as a potential anticancer drug has been limited due to its low water solubility, which causes its low bioavailability. The development of a drug nanoformulation that includes the solubilizing agent as a drug carrier can improve solubility and bioavailability. In this study, Mobil Composition of Matter Number 48 (MCM-48) nanoparticles were synthesized and functionalized with succinylated β-lactoglobulin (BLG) to prevent early-burst drug release. The BLG-modified amine-functionalized MCM-48 (MCM-BLG) nanoparticles were loaded with FBZ to produce the drug nanoformulation (FBZ-MCM-BLG) and improved the water solubility and, consequently, its anticancer effects against human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. The prepared FBZ-MCM-BLG was characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, drug loading capacity, morphology, thermal and chemical analyses, drug release, cellular uptake, cell viability, cell proliferation, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell migration. The results demonstrated that the FBZ-MCM-BLG nanoparticles have a spherical morphology with a size and zeta potential of 369 ± 28 nm and 28 ± 0.4 mV, respectively. The drug loading efficiency of the new nanoformulation was 19%. The release of FBZ was pH-dependent; a maximum cumulative release of about 76 and 62% in 12 h and a burst release of 53 and 38% in the first 0.5 h was observed at pH 1.2 and 6.8, respectively. The prepared FBZ-MCM-BLG formulation demonstrated higher cytotoxicity effects against PC-3 cells by 5.6- and 1.8-fold, respectively, when compared to FBZ and FBZ-MCM nanoparticles. The new formulation also increased the production of ROS by 1.6- and 1.2-fold and inhibited the migration of PC-3 cells when compared to the FBZ and FBZ-MCM nanoparticles, respectively. Overall, FBZ-MCM-BLG nanoparticles improved FBZ delivery to PC-3 cells and have the potential to be evaluated for the treatment of prostate cancer following a comprehensive in vivo study.

Impact of PEGylated Liposomal Doxorubicin and Carboplatin Combination on Glioblastoma

“…The lower size and PDI values of PEGylated liposomes, compared to non-PEGylated liposomes (~80 nm vs. ~100 nm), were also reported previously [ 33 ]. Nanoparticles with a size below 300 nm could efficiently internalize into target cells and, as a result, increase the intracellular concentration of their cargo [ 19 , 35 , 36 ]. This could result from the ability of PEG to reduce lamellarity and increase the stability of conjugates [ 33 , 34 ].…”

Revolutionizing Wound Healing: Exploring Scarless Solutions through Drug Delivery Innovations

“…Conventional methods often result in fluctuating drug concentrations in the blood, leading to side effects and reduced treatment efficacy . In contrast, controlled release systems ensure steady and sustained drug release, maintaining the drug concentration within the therapeutic range. This approach allows for the use of larger drug doses while ensuring efficient and prolonged drug delivery, leading to improved treatment outcomes …”

Current applications of nanomaterials in urinary system tumors

“…Fenbendazole (FBZ) is a potential anticancer drug whose application is limited by its low water solubility. The water solubility of FBZ can be increased when serialized on β-lactoglobulin-modified MSNs, which can increase the cytotoxicity of FBZ and inhibit the migration of PCa cells ( Koohi et al, 2022 ). ( Figures 1A,B ) It is also possible to serialize FBZ on pegylated MSN (MCM-41) to improve its cytotoxicity and increase its delivery to PCa cells ( Esfahani et al, 2021 ).…”