Scutellarin-loaded pH/HO dual-responsive polymer cyclodextrin mesoporous silicon framework nanocarriers for enhanced cancer therapy.

Stimulus-responsive nanomaterials, particularly with targeting capabilities, have garnered significant attention in the cancer therapy. However, the biological safety of these innovative materials in vivo remains unknown, posing a hurdle to their clinical application. Here, a pH/HO dual-responsive and targeting nano carrier system (NCS) was developed using core shell structure of FeO mesoporous silicon (MSN@FeO) as main body, scutellarin (SCU) as antitumor drug and polymer cyclodextrin (PCD) as molecular switch (denoted as PCD@SCU@MSN@FeO, abbreviated as NCS). The NCS, with an average particle size of 100 nm, displayed exceptional SCU loading capacity, a result of its uniform radial channel structure. The in vitro investigation under condition of pH and HO indicated that NCS performed excellent pH/HO-triggered SCU release behavior. The NCS displayed a higher cytotoxicity against tumor cells (Huh7 and HCT116) due to its pH/HO dual-triggered responsiveness, while the PCD@MSN@FeO demonstrated lower cytotoxicity for both Huh7 and HCT116 cells. In vivo therapeutic evaluation of NCS indicates significant inhibition of tumor growth in mouse subcutaneous tumor models, with no apparent side-effects detected. The NCS not only enhances the bioavailability of SCU, but also utilizes magnetic targeting technology to deliver SCU accurately to tumor sites. These findings underscore the substantial clinical application potential of NCS.