pH/Reduction Dual-Responsive Oxidized Alginate-Doxorubicin (mPEG-OAL-DOX/Cys) Prodrug Nanohydrogels: Effect of Complexation with Cyclodextrins

Langmuir. 2018 Jan 9;34(1):416-424. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03990. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

Abstract

Novel biocompatible and biodegradable pH/reduction dual-responsive oxidized alginate-doxorubicin (mPEG-OAL-DOX/Cys) prodrug nanohydrogels were designed for tumor-specific intracellular triggered release of anticancer drug DOX by conjugating DOX via acid-labile Schiff base linkage into the PEGylated oxidized alginate (mPEG-OAL) cross-linked with bioreducible disulfide bond. The effect of the complexation with cyclodextrins (α-CD and β-CD) before or after the cross-linking of the mPEG-OAL on the DOX content and controlled release performance was investigated. It was found that the cyclodextrin inclusion complex prodrug nanohydrogels mPEG(CD)-OAL-DOX/Cys, prepared by cross-linking of the mPEG-OAL after complexation with cyclodextrins, exhibited better pH/reduction dual-responsive controlled release performance than the mPEG-OAL-DOX/Cys(CD) ones prepared by cross-linking of the mPEG-OAL before complexation with cyclodextrins, owing to the supramolecular cross-linking of the adjacent pseudopolyrotaxanes. Especially for the cyclodextrin inclusion complex prodrug nanohydrogels mPEG(α-CD)-OAL-DOX/Cys, DOX was released rapidly under lower pH media mimicking the tumor microenvironment and completely released within 48 h, while the premature leakage under the simulated physiological condition was ∼40%, without burst release in both cases. The cellular toxicity and uptake results demonstrated that the mPEG(α-CD)-OAL-DOX/Cys prodrug nanohydrogels possessed similar inhibition against cancer cell growth in comparison with the free DOX and enhanced drug intracellular accumulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alginates / chemistry*
  • Biological Transport
  • Cyclodextrins / chemistry*
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • Doxorubicin / chemistry*
  • Doxorubicin / metabolism
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / metabolism
  • Drug Carriers / toxicity
  • Drug Liberation
  • Glucuronic Acid / chemistry
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hexuronic Acids / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Prodrugs / metabolism*

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Cyclodextrins
  • Disulfides
  • Drug Carriers
  • Hexuronic Acids
  • Hydrogels
  • Prodrugs
  • Doxorubicin
  • Glucuronic Acid