Cross-Linked Tannic Acid–Metal Nanoparticles: A Dual-Action Anticancer and Antibacterial Platform for Pulmonary Therapeutics

Authors

• Rahul Tiwari, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Eswara N. Hanuma Kumar Ghali, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Meghana Kolli, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Neeraj Chauhan, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Iris Enriquez, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Jessica A. Osei
• Keyaa Dilip Shah, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Vishal Sharad Chaudhari
• Vivek K. Kashyap, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Yonghong Zhang, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Subhash Chauhan, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Murali Yallapu, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-20-2026

Abstract

Pulmonary drug delivery offers a promising strategy for treating lung diseases. In this study, we developed inhalable cross-linked tannic acid-based nanoparticles (CTAM-NPs) as a multifunctional nanoplatform for targeted pulmonary delivery, treating both lung cancer and respiratory infections. The nanoparticles were synthesized through a rapid phenolic–metal assembly process, which is encapsulated with gambogic acid (GA). The morphology of formulation was confirmed in nanoscale with favorable physicochemical stability and interaction with mucin, supporting their suitability for inhalation delivery. The particle size of CTAM-NPs was found to be less than 200 nm with a zeta potential of −17.6 ± 2.03 mV, while entrapment efficiency (EE%) was 87.97% ± 3.15, respectively. Both in vitro and ex vivo evaluations of CTAM-NPs were confirmed to have superior mucin interaction as well as cellular binding and penetration. In vivo biodistribution study confirms enhanced CTAM-NPs targeting and accumulation in lung tissues compared to all other organs in mice. Both superior cellular internalization and anticancer activities of CTAM-NPs were observed in A549 and H1299 lung cancer cells. In addition, the IC₅₀ of GA@CTAM-NPs was determined as ∼1.004 μg/mL for H1299. In addition, the GA@CTAM-NPs showed antimicrobial potential in E. coli and S. epidermidis with an MIC near 1.25 and 3.25 μg/mL, respectively. Overall, this work highlights inhalable GA@CTAM-NPs as a versatile pulmonary nanomedicine platform capable of improving targeted chemotherapy while offering potential adjunct benefits against respiratory pathogens.

Comments

© 2026 American Chemical Society  

Recommended Citation

Tiwari, R., Ghali, E. N., Kolli, M., Chauhan, N., Enriquez, I., Osei, J. A., ... & Yallapu, M. M. (2026). Cross-Linked Tannic Acid–Metal Nanoparticles: A Dual-Action Anticancer and Antibacterial Platform for Pulmonary Therapeutics. ACS Nano Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnanomed.6c00098

Publication Title

ACS Nano Medicine

DOI

10.1021/acsnanomed.6c00098

Academic Level

faculty

Mentor/PI Department

Immunology and Microbiology