P‐Sulfocalix[6]arene as Nanocarrier for Controlled Delivery of Doxorubicin

• Published in: Chemistry, an Asian journal an Asian journal, 2017-03, Vol.12 (6), p.679-689
• Main Authors: Ostos, Francisco J., Lebrón, José A., Moyá, Maria L., López‐López, Manuel, Sánchez, Antonio, Clavero, Amparo, García‐Calderón, Clara B., Rosado, Iván V., López‐Cornejo, Pilar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: calixarenes; Chemistry; chemotherapeutics; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; doxorubicin; drug delivery; nanocarriers
• ISSN: 1861-4728; 1861-471X
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.201601713

Given the high toxicity of the anthracycline antibiotic doxorubicin (DOX), it is relevant to search for nanocarriers that decrease the side effects of the drug and are able to transport it towards a therapeutic target Here, the encapsulation of DOX by p‐sulfocalix[6]arene (calix) has been studied. The interaction of DOX with the macrocycle, as well as with DNA, has been investigated and the equilibrium constant for each binding process estimated. The results showed that the binding constant of DOX to DNA, KDNA, is three orders of magnitude higher than that to calix, Kcalix. The ability of calixarenes to encapsulate DOX molecules, as well as the capability of the DOX molecules included into the inner cavity of the macrocycle to bind with DNA have been examined. Cytotoxicity measurements were done in different cancer and normal cell lines to probe the decrease in the toxicity of the encapsulated DOX. The low toxicity of calixarenes has also been demonstrated for different cell lines. DOX in the BOX: A multidisciplinary study has shown an ability of calixarenes to encapsulate DOX molecules, as well as the power of the DOX molecules included in the inner cavity of the macrocycle to bind with the DNA. Cytotoxicity results reveal that the presence of calix in the solution partially reduces the side effects of DOX.