Oxaliplatin-chitosan nanoparticles induced intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway: A “smart” drug delivery system to breast cancer cell therapy

•A “smart” pH-responsive DDS based on chitosan nano-carrier is developed.•Oxaliplatin was released from the DDS more efficiently at pH 4.5 than at pH 7.4.•The possible activation of intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway was explored.•The expression of Bax, Bik, Cyt C, Caspase-9 and -3 was significantly up-regulated.•Bcl-2 and Survivin expression were inhibited in breast cancer (MCF-7) cells.

This study was to investigate “smart” pH-responsive drug delivery system (DDS) based on chitosan nano-carrier for its potential intelligent controlled release and enhancing chemotherapeutic efficiency of Oxalipaltin. Oxaliplatin was loaded onto chitosan by forming complexes with degradable to construct nano-carrier as a DDS. Oxaliplatin was released from the DDS much more rapidly at pH 4.5 than at pH 7.4, which is a desirable characteristic for tumor-targeted drug delivery. Furthermore, the possible intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway was explored by Western blot. It was found that expression of Bax, Bik, cytochrome C, caspase-9 and -3 was significantly up-regulated while the Bcl-2 and Survivin were inhibited in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. For instance, nanoparticles inducing apoptosis in caspase-dependent manner indicate that chitosan nanoparticles could act as an efficient DDS importing Oxalipaltin to target cancer cells. These approaches suggest that “smart” Oxaliplatin delivery strategy is a promising approach to cancer therapy.

Graphical abstractOxaliplatin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles formation and in vitro delivery mechanisms into the MCF-7 cells. The strategy explains Oxp-CH-NPs effectively induce cytotoxicity via endocytosis process.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide