LAUSR

The administration of nanodrugs can lead to metabolism related systemic toxicity due to the use of inert carriers in large quantities. Carrier materials that offer therapeutic effects are therefore a promising means of addressing this limitation. Herein, a hyaluronate-based nanocarrier was prepared from hyaluronic acid (HA) and solanesol. Solanesyl thiosalicylate (STS) derived from solanesol has certain antitumor effects and was used to modify HA. The conjugate (HA-STS) self-assembled into nanoparticles acting as a drug carrier. The synthesis of the conjugates was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded into the HA-STS nanoparticles with a relatively high content of 6.0%. pH-sensitive drug release behavior was achieved by introducing a hydroazone bond between STS and HA. A cytotoxicity assay indicated that the blank nanoparticles had an antitumor effect, which was enhanced by loading with an additional drug. Moreover, in vivo antitumor experiments indicated that the HA-STS-DOX showed superior tumor inhibition compared with free DOX, as well as lower cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, demonstrating the advantages of the bioactive drug vehicles in cancer therapy.