Chemical construction of molecularly organic-inorganic hybrid hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs) with silsesquioxane framework is expected to substantially improve their therapeutic performance and enhance the biological effects beneficial for biomedicine. In this work, we report on a simple, controllable, and versatile chemical homology principle to synthesize multiple-hybridized HMONs with varied functional organic groups homogeneously incorporated into the framework (up to quintuple hybridizations). As a paradigm, the hybridization of physiologically active thioether groups with triple distinctive disulfide bonds can endow HMONs with unique intrinsic reducing/acidic- and external high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)-responsive drug-releasing performances, improved biological effects (e.g., lowered hemolytic effect and improved histocompatibility), and enhanced ultrasonography behavior. The doxorubicin-loaded HMONs with concurrent thioether and phenylene hybridization exhibit drastically enhanced therapeutic efficiency against cancer growth and metastasis, as demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo.

2D PEG-ylated MoS2/Bi2 S3 composite nanosheets are successfully constructed by introducing bismuth ions to react with the two extra S atoms in a (NH4)2 MoS4 molecule precursor for solvothermal synthesis of MoS2. The MBP nanosheets can serve as a promising platform for computed tomography and photoacoustic-imaging-guided tumor diagnosis, as well as combined tumor photothermal therapy and sensitized radiotherapy.

No abstract

We report a facile approach to using laponite (LAP) nanodisks as a platform for efficient delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) to cancer cells. In this study, DOX was encapsulated into the interlayer space of LAP through an ionic exchange process with an exceptionally high loading efficiency of 98.3 ± 0.77%. The successful DOX loading was extensively characterized via different methods. In vitro drug release study shows that the release of DOX from LAP/DOX nanodisks is pH-dependent, and DOX is released at a quicker rate at acidic pH condition (pH = 5.4) than at physiological pH condition. Importantly, cell viability assay results reveal that LAP/DOX nanodisks display a much higher therapeutic efficacy in inhibiting the growth of a model cancer cell line (human epithelial carcinoma cells, KB cells) than free DOX drug at the same DOX concentration. The enhanced antitumor efficacy is primarily due to the much more cellular uptake of the LAP/DOX nanodisks than that of free DOX, which has been confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscope and flow cytometry analysis. The high DOX payload and enhanced antitumor efficacy render LAP nanodisks as a robust carrier system for different biomedical applications.

No abstract

MoS2 nanosheets and a doxorubicin (DOX)-containing poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/MoS2 /DOX composite implant are successfully constructed based on the unique phase-changing behavior of PLGA/MoS2 /DOX oleosol within tumors. The fast phase transformation can firmly restrict MoS2 and DOX within tumors, and the integrated MoS2 and DOX can endow the implant with high synergistic photothermal and chemotherapeutic efficiency against tumors.

No abstract

We report a facile approach to encapsulating amoxicillin (AMX) within laponite (LAP)-doped poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibers for biomedical applications. In this study, a synthetic clay material, LAP nanodisks, was first used to encapsulate AMX. Then, the AMX-loaded LAP nanodisks with an optimized AMX loading efficiency of 9.76 ± 0.57% were incorporated within PLGA nanofibers through electrospinning to form hybrid PLGA/LAP/AMX nanofibers. The loading of AMX within LAP nanodisks and the loading of LAP/AMX within PLGA nanofibers were characterized via different techniques. In vitro drug release profile, antimicrobial activity, and cytocompatibility of the formed hybrid PLGA/LAP/AMX nanofibers were also investigated. We show that the loading of AMX within LAP nanodisks does not lead to the change of LAP morphology and crystalline structure and the incorporation of LAP/AMX nanodisks does not significantly change the morphology of the PLGA nanofibers. Importantly, the loading of AMX within LAP-doped PLGA nanofibers enables a sustained release of AMX, much slower than that within a single carrier of LAP nanodisks or PLGA nanofibers. Further antimicrobial activity and cytocompatibility assays demonstrate that the antimicrobial activity of AMX toward the growth inhibition of a model bacterium of Staphylococcus aureus is not compromised after being loaded into the hybrid nanofibers, and the PLGA/LAP/AMX nanofibers display good cytocompatibility, similar to pure PLGA nanofibers. With the sustained release profile and the reserved drug activity, the organic/inorganic hybrid nanofiber-based drug delivery system may find various applications in tissue engineering and pharmaceutical science.