β-Cyclodextrin-grafted hyaluronic acid as a supramolecular polysaccharide carrier for cell-targeted drug delivery

13-Cyclodextrin (13-CD) was grafted onto hyaluronic acid (HA) in a single step to generate a supramolecular biopolymer (HA-13-CD) that was explored for targeted drug delivery applications. Along with its excellent biocompatibility, the prepared HA-13-CD exhibits not only exceptionally high loading capacity for the model drugs doxorubicin and Rhodamine B through the formation of inclusion complexes with the 13-CD component, but also the capability of targeted drug delivery to cancerous cells with a high level of expression of CD44 receptors, attributable to its HA component. The polymer can release the drug under slightly acidic conditions. With all its attributes, HA-13-CD may be a promising cancer-cell-targeting drug carrier.

Automated summary

13-Cyclodextrin was grafted onto hyaluronic acid in a single step to create a supramolecular biopolymer, HA-13-CD, which showed high loading capacity for drugs doxorubicin and Rhodamine B. The polymer also exhibited targeted drug delivery to cancerous cells with a high level of CD44 receptor expression, potentially making it a promising cancer-cell-targeting drug carrier.