Synthesis and characterization of camptothecin-rhamnolipid-layered double hydroxide nanohybrid and its controlled release property

Abstract

Camptothecin (CPT) is a kind of hydrophobic anticancer drug. The clinical application of CPT is limited by its poor water solubility and serious side effects. In this work, layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets were prepared in an aqueous synthetic route, and rhamnolipid (RL) anions were assembled with LDH nanosheets to form a RL-LDH nanohybrid. A CPT-intercalated RL-LDH (CPT-RL-LDH) nanohybrid was then prepared via hydrophobic interaction in a saturated ethanol solution of CPT. A possible morphology of CPT molecules in the hydrophobic interlayer region of RL-LDH was proposed according to the size of CPT molecule and the gallery height of the RL-LDH. The obtained CPT-RL-LDH nanohybrid showed high thermal stability and controlled release of CPT. The diffusion of CPT through CPT-RL-LDH particles was the rate-limiting step of CPT release. The drug-RL-LDH nanohybrids can be used as potential drug delivery materials.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Camptothecin
• layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets
• rhamnolipid
• secondary intercalation
• controlled release

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province of China (201701D121034), the Key Research and Development Projects of Shanxi Province of China (201803D121100), the Fund for Shanxi Key Subjects Construction, and the Support Plan for Innovative Research Team of Changzhi University, China.