AI-guided data-driven kinetic modelling carbon quantum dot-enabled pH-responsive CMC/CeO 2 nanocarriers for quercetin delivery and in vitro evaluation in lung cancer cells

Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology · Available online 17 Jul 2026 · In press · DOI 10.1080/21691401.2026.2702868

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Authors (5)

Nikoo Baghal Darbandi, Zeinab Rostami Dehka, Mehrab Pourmadadi, Salar Mohammadi Shabestari, Elham Hatami Monfared

Abstract

This work reports the development and systematic evaluation of a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based nanocarrier system co-loaded with cerium oxide (CeO2) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for pH-responsive delivery of quercetin (QC) and in vitro evaluation in lung cancer cells. The nanocarriers were prepared using a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsion approach, yielding spherical particles with an average size of approximately 134 nm and a high positive surface charge (+66 mV), indicative of favourable colloidal stability. FESEM analysis confirmed a uniform morphology and compact internal structure. The incorporation of CeO2 appears to reinforce the polymer matrix, contributing to improved drug encapsulation. The optimized formulation exhibited high encapsulation efficiency (88%) and drug loading capacity (47%), outperforming CeO2-free systems. In vitro release studies demonstrated a clear pH-dependent biphasic behaviour, with significantly faster release under pH 5.4 compared to physiological pH (7.4), reaching 98% and 58% after 96 h, respectively. Drug release followed the Higuchi model, suggesting diffusion-controlled kinetics, while the Korsmeyer–Peppas model indicated a non-Fickian mechanism. An AI-guided nonlinear modelling workflow was used to extract interpretable kinetic descriptors directly from experimental release data. Biological evaluation revealed enhanced anticancer activity against A549 cells, with viability reduced to 49.1%, while maintaining high biocompatibility towards L929 cells.

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Publication details

Year
2026

Citation

Darbandi, N., Dehka, Z., Pourmadadi, M., et al. (2026). AI-guided data-driven kinetic modelling carbon quantum dot-enabled pH-responsive CMC/CeO 2 nanocarriers for quercetin delivery and in vitro evaluation in lung cancer cells. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1080/21691401.2026.2702868

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