Green Preparation Process, Characterization and Antitumor Effects of Doxorubicin-BSA-Dextran Nanoparticles

In this report, we developed a simple and green process of simultaneous formation of doxorubicin-BSA-dextran nanoparticles in aqueous solution and high-effective encapsulation of doxorubicin. In the presence of BSA-dextran conjugates, which were produced by Maillard reaction, a binding of doxorubicin with BSA can suppress the self-aggregation of unprotonated doxorubicin. After a heat treatment, the gelation of BSA results in a formation of the nanoparticles and the doxorubicin was fixed inside the nanoparticles. The dextran shell makes the nanoparticles dispersible in solution. The nanoparticles have a spherical morphology and a hydrodynamic radius of about 90 nm. Importantly, the nanoparticles can significantly prolong the life of murine ascites hepatoma H22 tumor-bearing mice.Binding of doxorubicin with BSA can suppress the self-aggregation of unprotonated doxorubicin. After a heat treatment, the gelation of BSA results in a formation of doxorubicin-BSA-dextran nanoparticles and the doxorubicin was loaded inside the particles effectively. The dextran conjugated to the BSA through Maillard reaction stabilizes the nanoparticles in solution. The nanoparticles can significantly prolong the life of H22 tumor-bearing mice.