Ternary Fucoidan-Cisplatin-Dendrimer Nanoparticles as a Platform for Drug Delivery in Glioblastoma

Abstract

Fucoidan, a sulfated marine polysaccharide, provides a versatile platform for constructing biocompatible nanostructures through controlled electrostatic assembly. Here, we report ternary nanoparticles formed by sequential complexation of aquated cisplatin with fucoidan, followed by stabilization with biodegradable cationic bis-MPA dendrimers. Fucoidan extracted from Fucus vesiculosus and Undaria pinnatifida, despite their differences in composition and structure, generated nanoparticles with comparable size, surface charge, and drug content. Both systems displayed pH-responsive cisplatin release, consistent with reversible interactions between platinum aqua species and fucoidan sulfate groups. The nanoparticles preserved cisplatin’s cytotoxic activity in T98G and patient-derived glioblastoma cells and showed enhanced early intracellular platinum accumulation relative to free cisplatin. Hemocompatibility assays confirmed minimal hemolysis and no detectable impact on plasma coagulation. The nanoparticles also remained structurally stable after cryopreservation with 5% sucrose. These results identify fucoidan-cisplatin-dendrimer nanoparticles as a robust and biocompatible macromolecular platform for controlled delivery of platinum-based therapeutics.