Synthesis of titanium dioxide nanotubes with liposomal covers for carrying and extended release of 5-FU as anticancer drug in the treatment of HeLa cells

Abstract Nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) is an important material used in commerce today. In this study, titanium dioxide nanotubes (TNTs) were synthesized through the electrochemical anodizing method. Subsequently, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer drug, was loaded into the nanotubes by the drop-wise method. The liposome solution was prepared from soy lecithin, cholesterol, and polyethylene glycol at room temperature, and then drug-loaded and drug-free TNTs were covered with a liposomal cap. In this research, DLS, zeta potential, TEM, SEM, UV-Vis, and optical microscopy were employed in different stages to characterize liposomal nanocarrier. The release profile of 5-FU from TiO2 nanotubes with different liposomal layers was investigated. In vitro studies of the toxic effects of drug-free and drug-loaded TNTs nanotubes on HeLa cell line (cervical cancer origin) were performed at various concentrations. Then, the clonogenic potential in HeLa cells after TNTs exposure was evaluated. The cell viability of HeLa cells was determined in the presence of TNTs with different concentrations (3, 30, 100, 200, 300, 1500, and 3000  μ g/mL). It revealed that low concentrations of TNTs (under 300 μg/mL) can be considered non-toxic for HeLa cells during 48 h incubation.