Construction of pH-sensitive lysozyme/pectin nanogel for tumor methotrexate delivery

Novel nano-particles were developed from lysozyme-pectin through self-assembly, and the nanogels could be used as a carrier for the antitumor agent, methotrexate (MTX). The nanogels exhibited spherical with diameters about 109   ±   2   nm and narrow particle size distribution, as well as negative surface charge. Furthermore, the particle size and morphology of the nanogels hardly changed with the incorporation of MTX. The loading capacity of MTX in nanogels could reach 17.58   ±   0.85%. MTX-loaded nanogels were pH-dependent, accelerated release of MTX at a decreasing pH from 7.4 to 5.3. The MTT assay indicated that encapsulated MTX exhibited higher anticancer activity than free MTX. Meanwhile, MTX-loaded nanogels could be effectively endocytosed by HepG2 cells, resulting in enhanced cancer-cell apoptosis comparing to free MTX. It indicated that the nanogels had good biocompatibility and low toxicity. The obtained nanogels had great potential in the development of a new nanocarrier for anti-cancer drug delivery.