In this study, kraft lignin was used
as a polymer for drug-encapsulated
nanoparticle synthesis (coumarin 6 and doxorubicin; DOX). Successful
drug encapsulation by nanoprecipitation was confirmed (max. 59% for
coumarin 6 and max. 73% for DOX). Compared with the pure lignin nanoparticle,
drug-encapsulated nanoparticles showed no remarkable change in their
size (i.d. 176–469 nm) and surface charge (−40.5 to
−32.7 mV) regardless of the drug in the particle. The drug-release
profiles of the particles showed that they follow the Fickian diffusion. In vitro cytotoxicity assay revealed that the drug-release
effect of DOX-encapsulated nanoparticles was delayed but the anticancer
activity was not decreased. In addition, the hemocompatibility test, in vivo allergic reaction test, and tumor inhibition assays
using tumors in mice showed high biocompatibility of the lignin-based
drug delivery system and reduced side effects during chemotherapy.
This study suggests that kraft lignin has great potential as an eco-friendly
and economically sustainable drug delivery system.
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