Graphene oxide-chitosan nanocomposites for phenethyl isothiocyanate delivery in glioma

Biomater Sci. 2026 Jul 14;14(14):3785-3801. doi: 10.1039/d6bm00008h.

Abstract

Hydrophobic drug delivery remains a major challenge in nanomedicine due to poor aqueous solubility, weak carrier-drug interactions, and uncontrolled in vivo distribution. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a hydrophobic anticancer agent currently under clinical investigation, exhibits low bioavailability and off-target toxicity, necessitating improved carrier strategies. Previous studies have explored graphene oxide-based formulations (GO-PEITC) for PEITC delivery; however, the role of chitosan-modified graphene oxide in regulating PEITC behavior through interfacial interactions has not been systematically examined. In this work, we utilize a covalently assembled graphene oxide-chitosan (GOCS) nanocomposite formed through amide coupling to enable controlled interfacial interactions with PEITC that govern its intracellular availability and bioactivity. PEITC interacts strongly with the GOCS matrix through a combination of electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions, resulting in efficient molecular retention and protection within the nanocomposite structure. Compared with unmodified graphene oxide, chitosan-functionalized graphene oxide acts as an active interfacial regulator, modulating surface charge, colloidal stability, and interlayer interactions to promote cooperative π-π stacking and polymer-mediated confinement of PEITC, leading to a stabilized GOCS-PEITC nanocomposite with enhanced drug-loading efficiency and pH-responsive release under acidic tumor-mimicking conditions. As a result, GOCS-PEITC exhibits improved intracellular delivery, induces β-tubulin destabilization, γ-H2AX-expression, apoptosis, and broad proteomic pathway modulation, and achieves superior tumor growth inhibition with favorable systemic biocompatibility in a subcutaneous glioma model.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chitosan* / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers* / chemistry
  • Glioma* / drug therapy
  • Glioma* / pathology
  • Graphite* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Isothiocyanates* / administration & dosage
  • Isothiocyanates* / chemistry
  • Isothiocyanates* / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Nanocomposites* / chemistry

Substances

  • Isothiocyanates
  • Chitosan
  • Graphite
  • phenethyl isothiocyanate
  • graphene oxide
  • Drug Carriers
  • Antineoplastic Agents