Graphene Oxide Based Magnetic Nanocomposites for Melittin Delivery to Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells.

Abstract

Melittin (MEL), the primary active component of the bee venom, has been recently emerged as a promising cancer chemotherapeutic agent. However, instability and rapid degradation of MEL lead to a significant challenge for practical therapeutic applications. In the present study, graphene oxide (GO) based magnetic nanocomposites (termed as PEG-GO-Fe3O4) were prepared and adopted as the drug delivery vehicles of MEL, and the anticancer effects of PEG-GO-Fe3O4/MEL complexes on human cervical cancer HeLa cells were studied. PEG-GO-Fe3O4 exhibited a series of unique physical and chemical properties resulting in multiple interactions with MEL, and ultimately benefited the release of MEL. In vitro experiments showed that PEG-GO-Fe3O4/MEL not only distinctly enhanced the inhibition effect on HeLa cells, but also induced pore formation in cell membrane that ultimately leads to cell lysis. In this new developed drug delivery system, PEGylated GO played a role of MEL protector while Fe3O4 nanoparticles acted as magnetic responders, therefore active MEL can be released in a long time (until 72 h) and keep persistent inhibition effect on HeLa cells.