4. Conclusion
The proposed biodegradable covalent beta-CD nanocage-like structure was constructed using aldehyde group functionalized beta-CD and cystamine in a straightforward manner. Characterization of the prepared beta-CD nanocage was conducted using 1H NMR, FTIR, AFM, and DLS. Overall, our results demonstrate that DOX-loaded beta-CD nanocage exhibited acid-responsive and reductive-responsive drug release, attributed to the presence of imine and disulfide linkages. Furthermore, in cultured tumor cells with specific upregulation of acid and GSH, DOX-loaded beta-CD nanocage showed enhanced tumor cell killing, as confirmed by cell viability assays. Cellular fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry analyses supported these findings, indicating that beta-CD nanocage enables drug release under acidic and reductive conditions, enhancing chemotherapy effectiveness. In conclusion, our study suggests that beta-CD-based drug delivery systems hold promise for addressing medical challenges and advancing nanomedicine applications in tumor treatment.