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Biodegradable Covalent beta-Cyclodextrin Nanocages for Acidic and Reductive-Responsive Drug Delivery in Enhanced Tumor Therapy
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  • Jingyi Xiao,
  • Zan Ge,
  • Xiaowei Tan,
  • Ziyi Liu,
  • Yafang Zhang ,
  • Shufen Xiao,
  • Rongyuan Yi,
  • Ye Hu,
  • Wenyan Hu,
  • Hui Chu,
  • Jian Chen
Jingyi Xiao
Hunan University of Science and Technology
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Zan Ge
Hunan University of Science and Technology
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Xiaowei Tan
Hunan University of Science and Technology
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Ziyi Liu
Hunan University of Science and Technology
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Yafang Zhang
Hunan University of Science and Technology
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Shufen Xiao
Hunan University of Science and Technology
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Rongyuan Yi
Hunan Cancer Hospital
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Ye Hu
Nanjing Institute for Food and Drug Control
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Wenyan Hu
Nanjing Institute for Food and Drug Control
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Hui Chu
Hunan University of Science and Technology
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Jian Chen
Hunan University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:chenjianpharm@hnust.edu.cn

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Abstract

Traditional beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) in biomedical applications faces challenges due to its inherent physical and biochemical limitations. One of the most effective strategies to enhance the properties of beta-CD for drug delivery is the synthesis of supramolecular polycyclodextrins. In this study, we designed a novel beta-CD nanocage-like structure for drug delivery, incorporating imine and disulfide bonds through Schiff base reactions. Aldehyde group-functionalized beta-CD units were used to construct the main backbone of the nanocage, forming dual-dynamic covalent bonds. The chemical structure of the beta-CD nanocage was confirmed using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) revealed that varying amounts of beta-CD crosslinked with cystamine resulted in nanocages approximately 200 nm in size. In vitro drug release experiments demonstrated that doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded beta-CD nanocages exhibited accelerated DOX release in acidic and reductive environments compared to normal physiological conditions, owing to the pH-sensitive imine bond and the glutathione (GSH)-cleavable disulfide bond. The DOX-loaded beta-CD nanocages showed exceptional tumor-killing effects, particularly in acid/reduction-enhanced tumor cells. Both cellular fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry confirmed the potential of the beta-CD nanocages for acid/reduction-specific drug release. Consequently, this precision medicine model using imine/disulfide-linked beta-CD nanocage structures as acidity/reduction-sensitive drug carriers promises to improve oncotherapy through more targeted drug delivery and release, supporting individualized treatment approaches.
03 Dec 2024Submitted to Biotechnology Journal
05 Dec 2024Submission Checks Completed
05 Dec 2024Assigned to Editor
05 Dec 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Dec 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned