Stimuli responsive nanoparticles with simultaneous fluorescent and magnetic properties as well as capable of rapid drug release when exposed to acidic pH conditions are highly desirable for drug delivery to cancer cells. Two separate categories of nanoGUMBOS, one xanthenes dye based and other phthalocyanine based were synthesized that are multifunctional as well as responsive to environmental pH changes. The GUMBOS (G  roup of U  niform M  aterials B  ased on O  rganic S  alts) were based on a phthalocyanine based cation and a bile acid based anion for one case while xanthenes based anion and a phosphonium based cation for the other. Phthalocyanine based nanoGUMBOS which were spherical with a diameter of 10-20 nm at physiological pH, were observed to expand and coalesce at an acidic pH (6). This property of the nanoGUMBOS is considered to very important for target specific drug delivery to cancer cells. The fluorescence and magnetic properties will allow the tracking of the nanoparticles and imaging as well. The xanthene based nanoGUMBOS besides being expansile at acidic pH also exhibit colorimetric distinction. The cytotoxicity studies indicate nearly 80 % cell viability revealing fairly high biocompatibility of these nanomaterials.

Stimuli responsive multifunctional nanoGUMBOS for drug delivery to cancer cells

244th National Meeting (2012)

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