Cobalt-based hybrid nanoparticles loaded with curcumin for ligand-enhanced synergistic nanocatalytic therapy/chemotherapy combined with calcium overload

Abstract

The therapeutic efficacy of Fenton or Fenton-like nanocatalysts is usually restricted by the inappropriate pH value and limited concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at the tumor site. Herein, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)-mineralized cobalt silicate hydroxide hollow nanocatalysts (CSO@CaCO₃, CC) were synthesized and loaded with curcumin (CCC). This hybrid system can simultaneously realize nanocatalytic therapy, chemotherapy and calcium overload. With the stabilization of liposomes, CCC is able to reach the tumor site smoothly. The CaCO₃ shell first degrades in an acidic tumor environment, releasing Cur and Ca²⁺, and the pH value of the tumor is increased simultaneously. Then the exposed CSO catalyzes the Fenton-like reaction to convert H₂O₂ into ˙OH and enhances the cytotoxicity of curcumin (Cur) by catalytically oxidizing it to a ˙Cur radical. Curcumin not only induces the chemotherapy effect but also serves as a nucleophilic ligand and an electron donor in the catalytic system, enhancing the Fenton-like activity of CCC by electron transfer. In addition, calcium overload also amplifies the efficacy of ROS-based therapy. In vitro and in vivo results show that CCC exhibited an excellent synergistic tumor inhibition effect without any clear side effect. This work proposes a novel concept of nanocatalytic therapy/chemotherapy synergistic mechanism by the ligand-induced enhancement of Fenton-like catalytic activity, and inspires the construction of combined therapeutic nanoplatforms and multifunctional nanocarriers for drug and ion delivery in the future.