A sequential delivery system based on MoS2 nanoflower doped chitosan/oxidized dextran hydrogels for colon cancer treatment

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 233; p. 123616
• Main Authors: Liang, Zhengyin, Gao, Jun, Yin, Zheng-Zhi, Li, Junyao, Cai, Wenrong, Kong, Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Controlled delivery; Hydrogels; MoS2 nanoflower; Phase transition; Sequential delivery system; Controlled delivery; Hydrogels; Sequential delivery system; MoS2 nanoflower; Phase transition
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123616

A sequential delivery system based on MoS2 nanoflower (MoS2 NF) doped chitosan (CS)/oxidized dextran (OD) hydrogels is developed for the treatment of colon cancer. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is combined with polyethylenimine (PEI) decorated MoS2 NF via electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding, and the obtained 5-FU/PEI/MoS2 is encapsulated by 1-tetradecanol (TD), a commonly used phase transition material. The resultant TD/5-FU/PEI/MoS2 (TFPM) is then co-encapsulated with methotrexate (MTX) in the CS/OD hydrogels generated via Schiff base reaction and electrostatic attraction. Because the electrostatic attraction between CS and OD is pH-sensitive, MTX and TD/5-FU/PEI/MoS2 can be easily released from the hydrogels at pH 7.4. MoS2 is an outstanding photothermal agent, and the generated hyperthermia under near infrared (NIR) irradiation can lead to the melting of TD and the consequent release of 5-FU encapsulated. More importantly, the generated hyperthermia under NIR irradiation can realize the chemo-photothermal synergistic tumor therapy. Finally, the practicability of the developed sequential delivery system is demonstrated by cytotoxicity test. •A sequential delivery system based on MoS2 NF doped CS/OD hydrogels is developed.•PEI/MoS2 is facilely synthesized for the loading of 5-FU by electrostatic attraction.•CS/OD hydrogels are generated via Schiff base reaction and electrostatic attraction.•TFPM is co-encapsulated with MTX into the CS/OD hydrogels.•The CS/OD/MTX/TFPM hydrogels can be used for sequential delivery of MTX and 5-FU.