Melis Emanet1, Özlem Şen1, Mustafa Çulha1. 1. Department of Genetics & Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Ataşehir, Istanbul 34755, Turkey.
Abstract
AIM: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and hexagonal boron nitrides (hBNs) are novel nanostructures with high mechanical strengths, large surface areas and excellent biocompatibilities. Here, the potential use of BNNTs and hBNs as nanocarriers was comparatively investigated for use with cancer drugs. MATERIALS & METHODS: Doxorubicin (Dox) and folate are used as model drugs and targeting agents, respectively. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: The obtained results indicate that BNNTs have about a threefold higher Dox loading capacity than hBNs. It was also found that cellular uptake of folate-Dox-BNNTs was much higher when compared with Dox-BNNTs for HeLa cells, due to the presence of folate receptors on the cell surface, leading to increased cancer cell death. In summary, folate and Dox conjugated BNNTs are promising agents in nanomedicine and may have potential drug delivery applications.
AIM: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and hexagonal boron nitrides (hBNs) are novel nanostructures with high mechanical strengths, large surface areas and excellent biocompatibilities. Here, the potential use of BNNTs and hBNs as nanocarriers was comparatively investigated for use with cancer drugs. MATERIALS & METHODS:Doxorubicin (Dox) and folate are used as model drugs and targeting agents, respectively. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: The obtained results indicate that BNNTs have about a threefold higher Dox loading capacity than hBNs. It was also found that cellular uptake of folate-Dox-BNNTs was much higher when compared with Dox-BNNTs for HeLa cells, due to the presence of folate receptors on the cell surface, leading to increased cancer cell death. In summary, folate and Dox conjugated BNNTs are promising agents in nanomedicine and may have potential drug delivery applications.
Authors: Ashleigh D Smith McWilliams; Carlos A de Los Reyes; Lucy Liberman; Selin Ergülen; Yeshayahu Talmon; Matteo Pasquali; Angel A Martí Journal: Nanoscale Adv Date: 2018-12-17