Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 42796612 DOI: 10.3390/molecules31183328
Nanoplatforms of Pegylated Gold Nanorods Loaded with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Delivery and Biological Evaluation.
Molecules 31(18)
Authors: Eleni Zygouri, Chrisavgi Gourdoupi, Spyros Kremmydas, Nikos Karamanos, Georgios Malis, George Psomas, Vlasoula Bekiari, Vassilis Tangoulis
Affiliations
- Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Department of Agriculture, University of Patras, 30200 Messolonghi, Greece.
Abstract
This study explored the potential of gold nanorods (AuNRs) functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and loaded with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) fenamic acid (fenH) or its bromo-derivative (4'BrfenH) for targeted drug delivery and preclinical cancer research, given their pH-dependent drug-release profiles and in vitro cytotoxicity in breast cancer cell models. Both formulations demonstrated strong π-π stacking interactions with calf-thymus DNA, suggesting intercalation, and exhibited significant binding affinity to bovine and human serum albumins. Drug release was markedly higher at alkaline pH. As the fenamates are weak acids that are practically insoluble in their neutral form, this pH dependence is attributed principally to the ionization and solubility of the released drug rather than to a responsive carrier. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that AuNRs@PEG@4'BrfenH significantly reduced cell viability in both aggressive (MDA-MB-231) and less metastatic (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines, particularly at higher concentrations, and caused structural disorganization in 3D spheroid cultures. These findings highlight the promise of AuNRs@PEG@4'BrfenH as a nanoplatform showing pH-dependent release and significant in vitro anticancer activity in breast cancer cell lines and spheroids, supporting its further investigation in relevant tumor models.
MeSH
Cells, Serum Albumin, Breast Neoplasms, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Neoplasms, Cell Line, Breast