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.