This study examined the efficiency of co-delivering albendazole (Abz) and silver nanoparticles in suppressing glioma growth. For this purpose, we conjugated menthol, shown to relax the BBB, to bovine serum albumin loaded the complex with Abz and silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles efficiently crossed the BBB, and specifically accumulated in glioma regions, where they induced glioma cell apoptosis. This effect was mediated by BBB disruption and internalization, and further by blocking ATP generation via inhibition of the glycolytic and mitochondrial pathways. The anti-glioma mechanisms of the nanoparticles involved cytotoxicity, proliferation inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis induced by ATP depletion.
- Jianming Liang
- Ying Zhu
- Jianxin Wang
