Plasmonic photothermal therapy based synergistic drug release application through gold nanoparticles coated and embedded PLGA nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of drug delivery science and technology 2024-08, Vol.97, p.105794, Article 105794
• Main Authors: Erdoğan, Hakan, Bacanlı, Merve Güdül, Karayavuz, Burcu, Eşim, Özgür, Sarper, Meral, Erdem, Onur, Özkan, Yalçın
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1773-2247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2024.105794

Drug carrier structures based on the biocompatible polymer Poly(D-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) are considered traditional delivery systems. To increase the potential of PLGA nanoparticle (NP)-based carriers for use in near infrared radiation (NIR)-based photothermal drug release applications, two important approaches are the combined use of gold nanoparticles with PLGA NPs structures. In this study, AuNPs were prepared both decorated on PLGA NPs and embedded in PLGA NPs structures. The particles were prepared and characterized for their structural and thermal properties using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) methods. Morphological features and size distributions were also determined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Thermal changes caused by plasmonic particles under 808 nm NIR laser were examined using a thermal camera for spherical gold nanoparticle (AuNP) and star-shaped gold nanoparticle (AuNS). The most suitable increase in temperature has been obtained in the AuNS structures. Epirubicin (EPI) release studies were conducted using PLGA NPs embedded with AuNS, employing NIR and an ON/OFF based approach. Basic toxicological evaluations of these particles were performed on mouse fibroblast (L929) cells to assess biocompability properties. The study also investigated the impact of prepared EPI-loaded particles and laser-controlled drug release on cytotoxicity, ROS production, and genotoxicity, in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. The results indicated that the activity of EPI-loaded AuNP@PDOP@PLGA NPs increases synergistically with the ON/OFF-based approach, as shown by the calculated combination index (CI) value. The developed combination approach shows promise for further evaluation before clinical use. [Display omitted]