Cinobufagin-Loaded and Folic Acid-Modified Polydopamine Nanomedicine Combined With Photothermal Therapy for the Treatment of Lung Cancer

Abstract

Cinobufagin is used as a traditional Chinese medicine for cancer therapy. However, it has some disadvantages, such as poor water solubility, short circulating half-life, and low bioavailability. In the present study, a targeted delivery and smart responsive polydopamine (PDA)-based nanomedicine for delivering cinobufagin was rationally designed to improve the anticancer efficacy of the compound for the treatment of lung cancer. The modification of the nanomedicine using folic acid first mediated tumor targeting via the interaction between folic acid and its receptors on tumor cells. After lysosomes escape, the PDA nanomedicine was triggered by the low pH and released its cargo into the tumor microenvironment. The nanomedicine had a better therapeutic effect against lung cancer when used in combination with photothermal therapy. Compared with other nanomedicines used with photothermal therapy, this nanocarrier was not only sensitive to biologically low pH levels for on-demand drug release, but was also biodegradable, breaking down into biocompatible terminal products. Therefore, the proposed drug delivery system with targeted delivery and smart release demonstrated potential as a multifunctional nanoplatform that can enhance the bioavailability and reduce the side effects of chemotherapeutic agents.

Acetyl-cinobufagin Suppresses Triple Negative Breast Cancer Progression by Inhibiting the STAT3 Pathway

“…Cinobufagin is a natural product extracted from toad venom, one of the major active ingredients in cinobufotalin injection, which is mainly used to treat intermediate and advanced tumors [25]. However, the rapid metabolism of cinobufagin, toxicity, insolubility and short half-life have limited its clinical use [23]. In this study, we used a similar approach as that used for aspirin and acetyl-bufalin to acetylate cinobufagin, which improved its curative effect without its toxic side effects.…”

Novel Strategies for Solubility and Bioavailability Enhancement of Bufadienolides

“…This nanocarrier was not only sensitive to the low biological pH value of on-demand drug release, but also biodegradable and decomposed into biocompatible end products. Therefore, the polydopamine nanodrug delivery system modified by CBG loaded with FA, as a multifunctional nanoplatform, had the potential to improve bioavailability and reduce the side effects of chemotherapeutics [ 115 ].…”

A simple, universal and multifunctional template agent for personalized treatment of bone tumors

“…Polydopamine (PDA), as a kind of endogenous product, is the main component of the melanin, which has good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity [ 33 ], and is widely distributed in various tissues and organs [ 34 ]. PDA contains various functional groups, including catechol, amine, and imine, easily modified with various substances [ 34 ].…”