Synthesis of a novel nano‐carrier system based on fucoidan conjugated to Pluronic for cell‐targeted delivery of anti‐cancer drugs

Abstract

AbstractNanocarrier systems for enhancing drug accumulation in cancer cells and minimizing side effects of anticancer drugs have been unceasingly developing throughout the years. In this study, we synthesized an advanced nanocarrier system polysaccharide fucoidan conjugated with pluronic P123 (Fud‐P123) utilized for the encapsulation of cisplatin (Cis) and its hydrate form (Cis‐OH). Cisplatin/Cis‐OH was loaded into the nanogel systems via the hydrophobic interaction of poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) fractions (P123) and the complexation between anionic groups (sulphate/carboxylate) present on the fucoidan flank with Cis‐OH. The chemical structure of the products was characterized by FTIR (Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) and DLS (Differential Light Scattering) spectroscopy. The results show that Fud‐P123 nanogels are in spherical shape with the nanoparticle size distributed in the range of 40‐61 nm according to TEM, and 62.96 nm by DLS at 25°C. The loaded drug amount was determined by ICP‐OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission spectroscopy), and the percentage of Cis‐OH loaded in the nanogel was higher than cisplatin, accounting for about 22 %. This result confirms that Fud‐P123 nanogel is capable of carrying large amounts of cisplatin in hydrate form and thus can be applied as an ideal drug carrier formulation in cancer treatment.