A pH sensitive thiolated β-cyclodextrin-modified nanoporous gold for controlled release of doxorubicin

This article reports a novel thiolated beta-cyclodextrin (HS-beta-CD) modified nanoporous gold (NPG) wire for pH sensitive delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) in controlled manner. Nanoporous gold is a versatile material because of its three-dimensional nanoscale network of pores, facile surface functionalization, biocompatibility, and high capacity for the DOX payload. HS-beta-CD can form supramolecular inclusion complexes with DOX affording the possibility of altering the controlled release behavior. DOX is one of the most potent anti-tumor drugs used in the treatment of different cancers. The binding of HS-beta-CD and DOX was examined using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The prepared NPG structure exhibited excellent properties for controlled drug release outlining the potential of a pH sensitive drug implant for biomedical applications. This delivery system could improve local targeting of the drug as well as alter the rate of release of DOX near tumors.