Biocompatible cellulose-based supramolecular nanoparticles driven by host–guest interactions for drug delivery

Abstract To extend the applications of natural products in nanomedicine, novel cellulose-based supramolecular nanoparticles (SNPs) were fabricated via a host–guest driven self-assembly strategy here. The adamantane-grafted carboxyethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and β-cyclodextrin-grafted glycerol ethoxylate were synthesized to self-assemble into the SNPs. Furthermore, doxorubicin (DOX)-functionalized β-cyclodextrin was encapsulated into SNPs via an in situ co-assembly process to generate DOX-loaded SNPs (DOX-SNPs). The SNPs exhibited a quasi-spherical morphology with an average diameter of ∼25 nm. The DOX-SNPs with relatively larger diameter possessed a high DOX loading efficiency (∼94%) and the pH-responsive drug release behaviors, which made them suitable as a drug delivery system. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated the excellent cytocompatibility of SNPs and the efficient inhibition of Hela cell proliferation of DOX-SNPs. Moreover, the DOX-SNPs could effectively enter Hela cells via endocytosis and release DOX under endo/lysosome pH. Thus, this nanocarrier has promising translational potential in cancer therapy and personalized nanomedicine.