A melittin-targeting drug carrier was synthesized by the grafting of sodium alginate to an oligopeptide. The melittin-loading onto oligopeptide–alginate nanoparticles at 0.1:1 unit ratio was more than double that onto alginate nanoparticles, suggesting the specific interaction of melittin with the oligopeptide-side chain in the oligopeptide–alginate nanoparticles. More than 80% of Caco-2 cells did not survive under the dose of 2.5 μM melittin-loaded oligopeptide–alginate nanoparticles. The results confirm that the derivation of an oligopeptide-side chain in alginate offers a specific binding site for melittin and effectively works in cancer chemotherapy.
- Karnthidaporn Wattanakul
- Toyoko Imae
- Shin-ichi Yusa
