In Vitro Delivery of Docetaxel to Cancer Cells by Hybrid PLGA@Organosilica Nanoparticles with Redox-Sensitive Molecular Gates

摘要

A novel type of nanomedicine based on a PLGA nanoparticle core and a redox-responsive amorphous organosilica shell has been successfully developed. The outer layer is obtained by self-assembly of silicate ions with a disulfide bridge containing silsesquioxane. These organic linkers work as molecular gates that can be selectively cleaved by reducing agents. This system is particularly suitable for storage and release of hydrophobic drugs, as docetaxel (DTX), as the treatment with reducing compounds leaves open doors that allow for the discharge of DTX in the organic matrix. These nanohybrids impose a better control and slower release of encapsulated molecules than bare PLGA nanoparticles, are reasonably stable in physiological medium and show higher cytotoxic activity over HeLa cells than the free drug.