Albumin-Albumin/Lactosylated Core-Shell Nanoparticles: Therapy to Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Controlled Delivery of Doxorubicin

Figure 1. Analysis of nanoparticle stability in PBS pH 7.2 for 8 days by size and ζ−potential. (A) LC tBSA-Dox NPs; (B) LC tBSA/BSALac-Dox NPs; (C) HC tBSA-Dox NPs and (D) HC tBSA/BSALac-Dox NPs. Values are average and standard deviation for triplicate.

Figure 2. Analysis of nanoparticle morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Figure 3. Accumulative release of Dox from Dox loaded nanoparticles in pH 7.2 PBS buffer. The free Dox was used as a control. Values are average and standard deviation for triplicate.

Figure 4. Percentage of hemolysis and RBCs viability induced by nanoparticles, (A) over 24 h and (B) 72 h incubation. The nanoparticle concentrations were 500 μg/mL. PBS and water were used as a control. Values are average and standard deviation for triplicate.

Figure 5. ELLA for the biorecognition of different types of nanoparticles by Ricinus communis lectin. Values are average and standard deviation for triplicate. The analysis was by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test. Different letters (a and b) indicate statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05).

Figure 6. In vitro antitumoral activity in HepG2 cells of Dox from Dox loaded nanoparticles. (A) Nanoparticles without Dox, Dox loaded nanoparticles with (B) LC and (C) HC interacting with HepG2 cells. In B y C, free Dox was used as a positive control. Values are average and standard deviation for triplicate.

Figure 7. Confocal fluorescence images of the cellular recognition of Dox (red) loaded nanoparticles and their specific biorecognition by HepG2 cells. To confirm specific biorecognition competitive and inhibition assay were performed. In the competition assay, HepG2 cells were simultaneously incubated with nanoparticles and free lactose. In inhibition assay, HepG2 cells were first incubated with lactose and later nanoparticles were added. HeLa cells were used as a negative control.

Figure 8. Schematic illustration of the process to obtain Dox-loaded albumin-albumin/lactosylated nanoparticles.