Nanodesigning of multifunctional quantum dots and nanoparticles for the treatment of fibrosarcoma

Abstract

An effective, dual drug(DD) loaded nanocarrier system (nano particle(NP), quantum dots(QDs)) having two active substances was aimed to develop for the treatment of fibrosarcoma. Zinc oxide(ZnO) QDs were produced using zinc acetate dehydrate as a precursor, were incorporated with chitosan(Ch), and finally decorated with PEG-linked folic acid and were found to be effective after imatinib mesylate(IM) and dexketoprofen trometamol(DT) were loaded. Characterisations, in vitro drug releases, cell toxicities, penetrations through cell lines and in-vivo animal tests of the prepared nanosystems were performed. The size of hybrid nanoparticles were 168.6 ± 48.8 nm, surface charge was −35.8 ± 0.26 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was 75% for IM and 99% for DT. DD-functionalised QDChNPs and lyophilised functionalised QDChNPs in capsules slowed down tumour growth by up to 76.5 and 88.7%. Our results demonstrate that developed hybrid nanoparticles are highly effective. This hybrid system gathers many of the advantages of nanotechnology into one form.

Keywords:

• Imatinib mesylate
• dexketoprofen trometamol
• synergetic effects
• ZnO quantum dots
• chitosan nanoparticles
• fibrosarcoma
• cancer treatment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, No. 213M675).