Folate receptor-α targeted delivery of berberine via folate-functionalized bovine serum albumin nanocarriers to enhance intracellular internalization and suppress 3D spheroid formation as a pioneering therapeutic modality for glioblastoma
Abstract
studies in LN229 cells demonstrated that FA-BER-BSA NPs exhibited higher cytotoxicity compared to BER-BSA NPs, accompanied by enhanced inhibition of cell migration, ROS generation, nuclear condensation, mitochondrial membrane potential disruption, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle arrest. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry confirmed efficient internalization of FA-BER-BSA NPs in (FR)+ LN229 cells and 3D tumor spheroids, with negligible effects on (FR)- HaCaT cells. Notably, FA-BER-BSA NPs significantly suppressed the growth of 3D spheroids compared to BER. These findings highlight the potential of the nanoparticles as a promising targeted therapeutic agent for glioblastoma, offering enhanced tumor-specific delivery and improved anticancer efficacy.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Berberine and alkaloids research
Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
Alkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Materials Chemistry B
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 2894–2917
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN