pH-Responsive Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersion for Target Specific Release of Doxorubicin to Cancer Cells

Cholesterol-based dipeptide carboxylates were synthesized and exploited for the pH responsive reversible dispersion and precipitation of single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) in water specifically at tumorogenic environmental pH (6.0-6.5). The nanohybrid showed excellent pH responsive drug release between pH range of 6.0 and 6.5. The exfoliation of SWCNTs was characterized by microscopic and spectroscopic studies. Importantly, drug-loaded SWCNT dispersions showed better killing efficiency compared to that of the native drug and were highly efficient in selective killing of cancer cells (Hela, HepG2) with 2.5-fold higher efficacy compared to that of normal cells (CHO, NIH3T3).