Selective growth inhibition of cancer cells with doxorubicin-loaded CB[7]-modified iron-oxide nanoparticlesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7ra02693e

• Main Authors: Benyettou, F, Fahs, H, Elkharrag, R, Bilbeisi, R. A, Asma, B, Rezgui, R, Motte, L, Magzoub, M, Brandel, J, Olsen, J.-C, Piano, F, Gunsalus, K. C, Platas-Iglesias, C, Trabolsi, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 03.05.2017
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ra02693e

Cucurbit[7]uril-modified iron-oxide nanoparticles (CB[7]NPs) were loaded with doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) and tested as a drug delivery system. Dox was found to interact with the carbonyl-rich rims of the CB[7] macrocycles adsorbed on the surface of the nanoparticles. The Dox-loaded nanoparticles (Dox@CB[7]NPs) were stable at room temperature and physiological pH and released their Dox cargo under acidic conditions, in the presence of glutathione, or with heating. Dox@CB[7]NPs reduced the viability of HeLa and three other cancer-derived cell lines in vitro at lower IC 50 than free Dox. They were also nontoxic to C. elegans . The sensitivity of HeLa cells to Dox@CB[7]NPs was enhanced when the temperature was elevated by application of an alternating magnetic field. Thus, Dox@CB[7]NPs show promise as agents for the intracellular delivery of Dox to cancer cells, for the selective and controlled release of the drug, and, more generally, as a possible means of combining chemotherapeutic and hyperthermic treatment modalities. Cucurbit[7]uril-modified iron-oxide nanoparticles (CB[7]NPs) were loaded with doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) and tested as a drug delivery system.