Preparation of curcumin loaded hyaluronic acid-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) micelles with pH response and tumor targeting

Cancer, a cause of high mortality in the world today, is a serious threat to the public health security of various countries. Targeted drug delivery systems with good biocompatibility have become a hot research topic in the field of cancer therapy. In this paper, HA-SS-PLGA copolymer was prepared using cystine (SS) containing disulfide bond as the linker, hyaluronic acid (HA) as the hydrophilic end and poly (lactic- co -glycolic acid) (PLGA) as the hydrophobic end. It will self-assemble in aqueous solution to form amphiphilic micelles with the hydrophilic end outside and the hydrophobic end inside. Among them, SS can react with glutathione in cancer cells by reduction, making the polymer reduction-sensitive. Then, reduction-sensitive Cur-HA-SS-PLGA nanoparticles loaded with Cur were prepared and characterized using curcumin as a model drug. The results showed that HA-SS-PLGA with pH sensitivity and good hemocompatibility could actively target to tumor cell surface overexpression receptors (CD44 receptors) and enter MCF-7 cells through endocytosis, and inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells after drug release. Therefore, the prepared HA-SS-PLGA is expected to be a good drug carrier in the field of cancer therapy.