alginate-coated folic acid-functionalized selenium nanoparticles

Alginate-coated folic acid-functionalized selenium nanoparticles are an experimental targeted nanotherapeutic system designed for cancer therapy. This formulation utilizes a selenium nanoparticle (SeNP) core, which possesses intrinsic antineoplastic properties by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triggering mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells. The surface of the nanoparticles is functionalized with folic acid (Vitamin B9) to exploit the overexpression of folate receptors (particularly folate receptor alpha) on the surface of various malignant cells, such as those in breast, lung, and ovarian cancers. This targeting mechanism facilitates receptor-mediated endocytosis, increasing the intracellular concentration of selenium within the tumor while sparing healthy tissues. The alginate coating, a biocompatible polysaccharide, provides colloidal stability, prevents nanoparticle aggregation in physiological environments, and can be engineered for pH-responsive release of the selenium core or other encapsulated chemotherapeutic agents in the acidic tumor microenvironment.

Other names

folic acid-conjugated alginate-coated selenium nanoparticlesfolate-targeted alginate-selenium nanoparticlesFA-functionalized alginate-coated SeNPs