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A combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy as a promising strategy has exhibited noticeable therapeutic effect on cancer therapy. To ensure the exertion of synergistic effect on a tumor region, a multifunctional vehicle for selectively delivering therapeutic agent into tumor cells is highly desirable. Thus, folate-poly (ethylene glycol)-distearoylphosphatidylcholine (FA-PEG-DSPE), cRGD [cyclic (Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys)]-PEG-DSPE and lecithin were employed to develop dual modified nanoparticles (FA/cRGD-PNPs) encapsulating polyaniline and cisplatin by a film-ultrasonic dispersion method. The FA/cRGD-PNPs showed a uniform size of 102.7 nm, remarkable stability and monodispersity, and highly localized temperature respond. Compared to chemo or photothermal treatment alone, the combined treatment on cellsin vitrosignificantly suppressed the survival rate of MDA-MB-231 cells (1.87%) and MGC-803 cells (2.37%) treated for 48 h. The results further indicated the induced cell apoptosis rate of MDA-MB-231 cells reached to 92.6% with treatment for 24 h. Hence, our research highlights the great potential in drug delivery and the combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles have received growing interest as one of the most promising agents for drug delivery. In the present work, functional and core-crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) with poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PEG5k-PCL10k) block copolymer and lecithin as biodegradable polymer doped with polyaniline was used to assemble nanoparticles which were prepared for targeted delivery and controlled release of cisplatin. The morphology of the polyaniline nanoparticles was determined by dynamic light scattering and the prepared nanoparticles showed a size of 83(±1) nm and a uniform spherical shape. For targeting to HER2 receptors, Herceptin was applied to guide the nanoparticles to breast cancer cells. Studies on cellular uptake and drug release of the nanocarriers showed that the prepared nanoparticles were efficiently taken up by breast cancer cells and the drug was released efficiently under acidic conditions when exposed to a near-infrared laser (808 nm, 1.54 W) for 5 min. Our research highlights the great potential of near-infrared light and pH dual-responsive release by core-crosslinked nanoparticles in nanobiomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A biocompatible ROS generator for efficient chemodynamic therapy was developed. • The Fe3+ catalyzes H 2 O 2 to produce OH, which further leads to oxidative damage. • The DPA increased the adhesion to cells and the 5-ALA increased ROS production. • The loaded PTX was able to combine with ROS to efficiently kill tumor cells. Traditional therapeutic regimens are currently far from satisfactory, and the integration of biocompatible carbohydrate polymers and nanotechnologies with conventional therapeutics has become a focus of research in cancer therapy. Herein, A novel biocompatible and pH-responsive nanohydrogel composed of two functional polymeric chains was developed from cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), or dopamine (DPA). The biological molecules PDA and ALA were respectively conjugated to CNC through the coordination of iron ions to form two functional polymeric chains (PDA/Fe@CNC and ALA/Fe@CNC). The PDA/Fe@CNC chain increased the adhesion of the nanohydrogels to cells, while the ALA/Fe@CNC chain significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, PTX molecules loaded into the nanohydrogels combined with ROS to efficiently kill tumor cells. The nanohydrogels displayed excellent cell affinity, high ROS yield (8.0-fold greater than that in control), and strong cytotoxicity (2.7 % of cell viability). The present study highlights the great potential of biocompatible natural polysaccharide-based materials for biomedical applications, and provides a new strategy for reducing the toxicity and side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy, demonstrating a novel antitumor treatment paradigm with high-efficiency but with only minor side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of nanomaterials to develop a system capable of regulating pesticide release in response to environmental cues, enhancing the deposition efficacy on plant leaves, and increasing resistance against rainwater erosion holds immense significance in improving the efficiency of pesticide usage while minimizing residual pollution. Cellulose-based green nanocomposites have emerged as a promising candidate for intelligent drug delivery systems. In this study, we had successfully developed a novel biocompatible interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) gel, named SPCs, by incorporating sodium alginate (SA), polydopamine (PDA), and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), and a stable gel-like network structure emulsion (MJ@SPCs) was achieved by coating the pesticide azoxystrobin (MJ). The resulting MJ@SPCs exhibited excellent pH responsiveness and temperature sensitivity. Compared to free MJ, MJ@SPCs exhibited improved foliar wettability, rain erosion resistance, deposition rate, and controlled release performance. The results of the bacteriostatic performance test indicated that MJ@SPCs exhibited a higher inhibitory efficiency against Gibperella zeae (GZ) than MJ at equivalent concentrations. Moreover, the in vivo biosafety evaluation of MJ@SPCs had confirmed its relative safety for aquatic zebrafish. This study offers insights into the potential applications of nanopesticides for sustainable plant protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisplatin-therapy has faced limitations in the gastric cancer therapy. To settle the bottleneck, enhanced specificity and controlled-release property are choosen. We synthesize cisplatin and indocyanine green (ICG) loaded PLGA-(DSPE-PEG2000) nanoparticles, which is abbreviated as CINPs. And we conjugate the Gly-Cys-Gly-Ala-Ala-Asn-Leu (GCGAANL) heptapeptide upon the surface of CINPs, the product is abbreviated as ACINPs. ACINPs with nearly 110 nm exhibit good monodispersity and size stability. The EE (efficiency of encapsulation) and LE (loading of encapsulation) of cisplatin loaded into ACINPs are optimized as 29.81% and 3.88%. MGC803 cells overexpressing the legumain and MKN28 cells, which negatively express the legumain as well as the normal stomach cells, are selected. In vitro studies have suggested ACINPs, compared with CINPs, could be recognized by MGC803 cells and efficiently killed the cancer cells, while be harmless to MKN28 cells, which indicates the specificity and safety of ACINPs. Under irradiation of 808 nm NIR irradiation, ICG loaded in ACINPs could rapidly transform the light to heat up to 60 ℃. Nanoparticles compared with non-irraditaion group could be quickly disrupted and release the cisplatin which could enhance the controlled-release ability. Hence, the ACINPs exhibit great potential in avoiding the side effects and enhancing the therapy ability of cisplatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]