A multi-component fluorescence composite strategy for constructing a mesh coating pattern: Design, synthesis, cell imaging, and bioactivity study of a visual antitumor fluorescent complex

A novel visualized anti-tumor complex was designed to accomplish the targeting and visualization of anti-tumor drugs, thereby reducing adverse drug reactions and achieving precision medicine. One-pot fluorescent complexes were created using isorhamnetin, nido-carborane, and rhodamine B as raw materials. By embedding these complexes in four medicinal acrylic resins, which are high molecular-weight polymers prepared by polymerization reactions of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and their ester monomers, a series of fluorescent anti-tumor complexes Eudragit® L 100-55@isorhamnetin/nido-carborane/rhodamine B (L-ICR), Eudragit® E PO@isorhamnetin/nido-carborane/rhodamine B (E-ICR), Eudragit® RS 100@isorhamnetin/nido-carborane/rhodamine B (S-ICR), and Eudragit® RL 100@isorhamnetin/nido-carborane/rhodamine B (R-ICR) were created, which enhanced the bioavailability and stability of isorhamnetin and nido-carborane and made it possible to see the specific locations where medications were targeted. L-ICR was then screened using the cell proliferation toxicity test (CCK8), which had a greater anti-tumor effect. As the concentration of L-ICR reached 24 µg/mL, the inhibition rate of HeLa cells and PC3 cells was 67.66% and 48.25%, respectively. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it was observed that the internal microstructure of L-ICR was tightly wrapped in an acrylic resin network. According to in vitro tumor cell imaging experiments, L-ICR exhibited good biocompatibility and selectivity, as most tumor cells were successfully entered into the nucleus. The complex in this study was a good fluorescent anti-tumor complex, with great imaging and targeting effect, and anti-tumor ability, which provided a new idea for the further development of anti-tumor drugs in the future.