A novel self-assembled sandwich nanomedicine for NIR-responsive release of NO

Abstract

A novel sandwich nanomedicine (GO–BNN6) for near-infrared (NIR) light responsive release of nitric oxide (NO) has been constructed by self-assembly of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and a NO donor BNN6 through the π–π stacking interaction. The GO–BNN6 nanomedicine has an extraordinarily high drug loading capacity (1.2 mg BNN6 per mg GO), good thermal stability, and high NIR responsiveness. The NO release from GO–BNN6 can be easily triggered and effectively controlled by adjusting the switching, irradiation time and power density of NIR laser. The intracellular NIR-responsive release of NO from the GO–BNN6 nanomedicine causes a remarkable anti-cancer effect.