Dual pH/temperature-responsive β-cyclodextrin-grafted cellulose nanocrystals for co-delivery of methotrexate and curcumin to MCF-7 cells.
10 affiliations
- 1Clinical Research Development, Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- 2Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- 3Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. [email protected].
- 4Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran. [email protected].
- 5Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- 6Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran. [email protected].
- 7Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran. [email protected].
- 8Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran. [email protected].
- 9Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- 10Department of Food Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract
The development of smart natural delivery systems that can deliver several chemotherapeutics in a controlled manner is a promising idea to enhance cancer treatment efficacy. In this study, we designed and synthesized a smart, dual pH- and thermo-responsive nanocarrier system based on β-CD-g-BCN, which was further functionalized with MSP and copolymerized with NIPAAm and DMAEMA to yield the final β-CD-g-BCN@MSP@PND formulation. The nanocarriers indicated efficient encapsulation of two anticancer agents, MTX and CUR, with encapsulation efficiencies of 64.5% and 87%, respectively. Successful functionalization and thermal stability were validated by characterization using FTIR, FESEM, TEM, DLS, zeta potential, and TGA. The nanoparticles exhibited sharp LCST behavior (~ 40.5 °C), which facilitates temperature-sensitive drug release. Improved drug release under acidic (pH 5.8) and hyperthermic (40 °C) conditions, simulating the tumor, was confirmed by in vitro release studies. Based on cytotoxicity studies, the MTX/CUR-loaded system had strong synergistic effects (CI < 0.1) on MCF-7 cells, while blank nanoparticles showed negligible toxicity. The time-dependent cellular uptake of RhB-labeled nanocarriers was validated by fluorescence microscopy. Overall, the prepared dual-responsive nanocarrier shows great promise for effective breast cancer treatment. However, this study is limited to in vitro evaluations, and further in vivo studies are required to confirm the therapeutic potential of the developed nanocarrier.
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BibTeX
@article{moghaddam2026dual,
title = {{Dual pH/temperature-responsive β-cyclodextrin-grafted cellulose nanocrystals for co-delivery of methotrexate and curcumin to MCF-7 cells.}},
author = {Sevil Vaghefi Moghaddam and Fatemeh Abedi and Soodabeh Davaran and Hamidreza Pazoki-Toroudi and Shirin Ahmadi and Sepideh Zununi Vahed and Shahram Dabiri Oskui and Mozhgan Effat Panahi},
journal = {Journal of biological engineering},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s13036-026-00738-6},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968100},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Dual pH/temperature-responsive β-cyclodextrin-grafted cellulose nanocrystals for co-delivery of methotrexate and curcumin to MCF-7 cells.
AU - Sevil Vaghefi Moghaddam
AU - Fatemeh Abedi
AU - Soodabeh Davaran
AU - Hamidreza Pazoki-Toroudi
AU - Shirin Ahmadi
AU - Sepideh Zununi Vahed
AU - Shahram Dabiri Oskui
AU - Mozhgan Effat Panahi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/05
JO - Journal of biological engineering
DO - 10.1186/s13036-026-00738-6
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968100
AB - The development of smart natural delivery systems that can deliver several chemotherapeutics in a controlled manner is a promising idea to enhance cancer treatment efficacy. In this study, we designed and synthesized a smart, dual pH- and thermo-responsive nanocarrier system based on β-CD-g-BCN, which was further functionalized with MSP and copolymerized with NIPAAm and DMAEMA to yield the final β-CD-g-BCN@MSP@PND formulation. The nanocarriers indicated efficient encapsulation of two anticancer agents, MTX and CUR, with encapsulation efficiencies of 64.5% and 87%, respectively. Successful functionalization and thermal stability were validated by characterization using FTIR, FESEM, TEM, DLS, zeta potential, and TGA. The nanoparticles exhibited sharp LCST behavior (~ 40.5 °C), which facilitates temperature-sensitive drug release. Improved drug release under acidic (pH 5.8) and hyperthermic (40 °C) conditions, simulating the tumor, was confirmed by in vitro release studies. Based on cytotoxicity studies, the MTX/CUR-loaded system had strong synergistic effects (CI < 0.1) on MCF-7 cells, while blank nanoparticles showed negligible toxicity. The time-dependent cellular uptake of RhB-labeled nanocarriers was validated by fluorescence microscopy. Overall, the prepared dual-responsive nanocarrier shows great promise for effective breast cancer treatment. However, this study is limited to in vitro evaluations, and further in vivo studies are required to confirm the therapeutic potential of the developed nanocarrier.
SN - 1754-1611
ER -