Development of multifunctional biodegradable nanomaterials to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs and their triggered release in cancer theranostics is a challenge. In the current study, we report the encapsulation of potent anticancer - chlorophyll rich biomolecular fraction from the plant Anthocephalus cadamba into a polymeric nanosystem. The biomolecular fraction was combined with an NIR dye IR-780 to make it photo-thermally active. It was evaluated for its combinatorial (biomolecular extract and photothermal mediated) synergistic cytotoxicity in skin cancer cells. The inherent fluorescence of chlorophyll in the fraction was deployed to understand the cellular uptake and drug release. Cellular uptake of hydrophobic CFAc was enhanced with the aid of nanoformulation. It was observed that photo stability of IR-780 improved when incorporated with CFAc in polymeric nanosystem, which resulted in enhanced photothermal transduction efficiency. The combinational approach exhibited synergistic cytotoxicity which can be applied for skin cancer theranostics.
Keywords: Chlorophyll; NIR dyes; Nanoparticles; Photothermal therapy; Triggered release.
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