Rapid preparation of hyperbranched β-CD functionalized hydroxyapatite based on host-guest reaction for cell imaging and drug delivery

Improving the biocompatibility and water dispersibility of hydroxyapatite (HAP) is an effective way to expand its application in biomedicine. Here, we present a nanosystem (HAP-β-CD-HPG) that is constructed by riboflavin sodium phosphate (HE) functionalized hydroxyapatite (HAP) and hyperbranched β-cyclodextrin (β-CD-HPG) through a simple, mild and rapid approach. Firstly, the successful construction of HAP-β-CD-HPG nanosystem is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and so on. Next, Doxorubicin (DOX) is loaded onto HAP-β-CD-HPG with a high encapsulation potency (60.3%) and further use for the simultaneously cell-imaging and controlled release of the cytotoxic drug DOX. Furthermore, the pH-triggered DOX release process in A549 cancer cells can be visualized dynamically by tracking the fluorescence of HAP-β-CD-HPG and DOX. This work both provides a new protocol for the construction of dual-function nanosystem for imaging of cell cytoplasm and drug delivery via a simple approach and promotes a potential application of this diagnosis-therapy integrated system for cancer treatment in the future.