Graphene oxide‐l‐arginine nanogel: A pH‐sensitive fluorouracil nanocarrier

Abstract

Nowadays, putting forward an accurate cancer therapy method with minimal side effects is an important topic of research. Nanostructures, for their ability in controlled and targeted drug release on specific cells, are critical materials in this field. In this study, a pH‐sensitive graphene oxide‐l‐arginine nanogel was synthesized to carry and release 5‐fluorouracil. Optimized conditions using statistical analysis, based on the maximum relative viscosity of nanogel, were evaluated: 5.489 for the concentration of l‐arginine and 2.404 for pH. The prepared nanogels were characterized using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay on MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. The fluorouracil release was measured by the dialysis bag method, UV spectrophotometry, and fluorouracil calibration diagram. Results proved the successful controlled release of fluorouracil at pH 5.4 and the beneficial role of graphene‐oxide‐ l‐arginine‐ fluorouracil nanogel in eliminating cancer cells.

A functionalized graphene oxide with improved cytocompatibility for stimuli-responsive co-delivery of curcumin and doxorubicin in cancer treatment

“…Therefore, various nano-carriers have been studied in last decades. Among nanoscaled materials, graphene and its derivatives are the promising nanocarriers that have several benefits over others 23 , because of their exceptional characteristics including high surface area, mechanical and chemical stability, 2D planar structure, good cytocompatibility and excellent conductivity 24 . The planar structure of graphene makes it a suitable factor for the high loading of different substances, such as biomolecules and metals.…”

Ameliorating quercetin constraints in cancer therapy with pH-responsive agarose-polyvinylpyrrolidone -hydroxyapatite nanocomposite encapsulated in double nanoemulsion

“…Lower extracellular pH in tumor cells has been detected as a consequence of the rapid proliferation of cancer cells that leads to an inadequate amount of oxygen and the production of lactic acid through glycolysis. This effect, known as the Warburg effect, has inspired the use of pH-responsive drug delivery systems [20]. pH-responsive hydrogels J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f contribute significantly to the controlled delivery of drugs and biomedical applications [18].…”

Graphene-based nanomaterials for breast cancer treatment: promising therapeutic strategies

“…At a pH of 5.4, more than 50% of the 5-fluorouracil was released within 6 h, whereas 24% was released at a pH of 7.4. After 24 h, 100% of the drug was released at a pH of 5.4, compared with merely a 32% release at a pH of 7.4 [87]. This pH-responsive drug-release pattern performed well, eliminating breast cancer cells, and showed fewer side effects.…”

“…Additionally, pH-responsive graphene-based drug carriers were designed to achieve controlled drug release. A study using L-Arg conjugated to GO to deliver fluorouracil into breast cancer cells proved the controlled release of fluorouracil at pH 5.4 [87]. A scientific drug-controlled release model could enhance the anticancer effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, leading to a reduction in dose-dependent toxicity.…”