The Construction of Polyethylene Glycol‐Folic Acid Modified Magnetic Layered Hydroxide Nanoplatform for Controlled Drug Delivery

ABSTRACT The application prospects of magnetic nanocomposites in cancer treatment and diagnosis are extensive, as they enable targeted drug delivery to tumors. Herein, a novel therapeutic strategy was proposed for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), in which polyethylene glycol‐folic acid (FA‐PEG) was modified on nanocomposites by combining Fe 3 O 4 and layered double hydroxide (LDH) to obtain a drug carrier for the targeted delivery of the anticancer drug berberine (Ber). We have confirmed that FA‐PEG/Fe 3 O 4 @LDH exhibited a high drug loading capacity for Ber and excellent biocompatibility. Moreover, it demonstrated remarkable pH‐responsive drug release (Ber release of 3.87% and 53.77% within 48 h at pH 7.4 and 5.0, respectively). The cellular experiments demonstrated that FA‐PEG/Fe 3 O 4 @LDH@Ber exhibited significant inhibition of cellular activity, while the targeted release of Ber effectively depleted the overexpressed GSH and promoted ROS generation, thereby facilitating oxidative stress and inducing mitochondrial dysfunction in CAL27 cells, thus promoting apoptosis of CAL27 cells. Therefore, FA‐PEG/Fe 3 O 4 @LDH can be used as a potential pH‐controlled release drug delivery system which has great significance for the targeted therapy of OSCC.