Evaluation of boron nitride nanotubes and hexagonal boron nitrides as nanocarriers for cancer drugs

Aim: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and hexagonal boron nitrides (hBNs) are novel nanostructures with high mechanical strengths, large surface areas and excellent biocompatibilities. Here, the potential use of BNNTs and hBNs as nanocarriers was comparatively investigated for use with cancer drugs. Materials & methods: Doxorubicin (Dox) and folate are used as model drugs and targeting agents, respectively. Results & discussion: The obtained results indicate that BNNTs have about a threefold higher Dox loading capacity than hBNs. It was also found that cellular uptake of folate-Dox-BNNTs was much higher when compared with Dox-BNNTs for HeLa cells, due to the presence of folate receptors on the cell surface, leading to increased cancer cell death. In summary, folate and Dox conjugated BNNTs are promising agents in nanomedicine and may have potential drug delivery applications.