Betulinic Acid-Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Betulinic acid (BETA) as an anticancer drug, was interacted with the surface of graphene oxide (GO) to form BETA-GO nanocomposites. The GO was prepared from graphite (Gr). The successfully produced nanocomposite was characterized using various techniques. The general interaction between BETA and GO occurs through pi–pi stacking and hydrogen bonding, and therefore, the BETA may be slowly released from GO in pH 7.4 within 67 hours. The UV analysis showed that the loading is about 63.5 wt%. The TEM images for GO and BETA-GO nanocomposites show average particle sizes of 123 and 151 nm, respectively. In vitro biological systems, such as skin cancer cells (B16) and normal fibroblasts (3T3) were treated with different amounts of suspended solutions of BETA, GO, and BETA-GO for 72 hour. The BETA-GO nanocomposite showed inhibitory properties towards B16 cancer cell generation without affecting 3T3 normal cell generation. In conclusion, we display a modified GO with BETA system with an enhanced ability to kil B16 tumor cells with sustained release properties.