Fig. 1

Particle characterization and determination of in silico mechanism of action. A Gel electrophoresis demonstrating conjugation of the aptamer to the nanoparticle. 1st well: standard DNA ladder; 2nd well: Apt-2cNP; 3rd well: free aptamer; 4th well: 2cNP. B Field emission scanning electron microscopic image of Apt-2cNP. C Transmission electron microscopic image of Apt-2cNP. D Atomic force microscopic image of Apt-2cNP. E Drug release profile of Apt-2cNP in PBS (pH 7.4), in PBS, containing 0.5% β-cyclodextrin, and in sodium acetate buffer of pH 5.5. Data shows mean ± SD (n = 3). F Molecular electrostatic potential map of BA and its analogue 2c. The blue, red, and green color indicates the most electron-deficient (hydrogen bond acceptor), -rich (hydrogen bond donor), and -neutral (hydrophobic) regions, respectively. G The change of Gibbs free energy values (kCal/mol) for the interactions of BA and 2c with topoisomerase-I (TIase I) and topoisomerase-II (TIase II) enzymes separately. H Protein pocket model representing the docking of compound 2c at the active site of topoisomerase-II. I Docking represented in a stick model (3D) shows the interaction of 2c with different amino acid residues at the active site of topoisomerase-II