Open AccessDoxorubicin conjugated carbon dots as a drug delivery system for human breast cancer therapy
Author(s) -
Kong Tingting,
Hao Liying,
Wei Yuanyuan,
Cai Xiaoxiao,
Zhu Bofeng
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cell proliferation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.647
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-2184
pISSN - 0960-7722
DOI - 10.1111/cpr.12488
Subject(s) - doxorubicin , flow cytometry , drug delivery , biocompatibility , zeta potential , conjugated system , chemistry , drug , biophysics , fluorescence microscope , confocal microscopy , materials science , nanotechnology , fluorescence , nuclear chemistry , pharmacology , nanoparticle , chemotherapy , medicine , organic chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , polymer , physics , quantum mechanics , surgery
Objectives Carbon dots ( CD s) are one of the most promising carbon‐based materials in bioimaging and drug/gene delivery applications. In this study, we have attempted to study the drug carrying capacity of highly fluorescent CD s for delivery of doxorubicin ( DOX ) and investigate the therapeutic activity of the CD s‐ DOX drug delivery system. Materials and methods Carbon dots were synthesized by means of a hydrothermal approach with mixing citric acid and ethylenediamine. The properties of CD s were characterized in respects of spectral property, zeta potential, particle morphology and chemical composition. The drug loading efficiency (DLE) and release profile of CD s‐ DOX were determined by a fluorescence spectrophotometer. We investigated the cellular toxicity and pharmaceutical activity of CD s and CD s‐ DOX in L929 cells and MCF ‐7 cells by the CCK ‐8 assay. We also studied the cellular uptake of CD s‐ DOX with the methods of confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. In addition, the effect of CD s‐ DOX on cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. Results The obtained CD s possessed good biocompatibility and showed a potential capacity of promoting proliferation. DOX was successfully conjugated to CD s through electrostatic interaction, and the results of the DLE and loading content ( DLC ) suggested a relatively high drug loading capacity of CD s. Compared with free DOX , the CD s‐ DOX complex had a higher cellular uptake and better anti‐tumour efficacy on MCF ‐7 cells. Conclusions The results of this study indicated that the CD s‐ DOX drug delivery system had a potential value in cancer chemotherapeutic application.