Preparation, characterization and in vitro evaluation of 5-fluorouracil loaded into chitosan–acacia gum nanoparticles

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we prepared, characterized and in vitro evaluated a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded chitosan–acacia gum nanoparticles. Methods: Nanoparticles were characterized for their size, charge, morphology and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) followed by cellular investigations against HT-29 colon cancer cell line. Results: The nanoparticles exhibited a spherical morphological size with 94.42% EE%. Free 5-FU showed a fast and fully cumulative release after 6 h while 5-FU loaded into CS-AG NPs showed good entrapment and slow, prolonged 5-FU release even after 24 h. Enhanced IC₅₀ for the 5-FU loaded NPs compared with free 5-FU against HT-29 colon cancer cell line was reported with high selectivity compared with normal fibroblast cells. Conclusion: 5-FU loaded NPs is promising nano-therapy against colon cancer.

Summary points

• This study focuses on the preparation, characterization and in vitro evaluation of chitosan–acacia gum (CS–AG) nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulating 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

• CS–AG:5-FU were prepared via a simple ionic gelation method.

• CS–AG:5-FU were characterized for their size, charge, morphology and encapsulation efficiency (EE%).

• CS–AG:5-FU exhibited a spherical morphology with a uniform size with 94.42% EE%.

• CS–AG:5-FU displayed a good stability even after lyophilization.

• Free 5-FU showed a fast and fully cumulative release through a dialysis membrane against phosphate-buffered saline buffer after 6 h while 5-FU loaded into CS–AG:5-FU showed good entrapment and slow, prolonged 5-FU release even after 24 h.

• The results showed an enhanced IC₅₀ for CS–AG:5-FU compared with free 5-FU against HT-29 colon cancer cell line with high selectivity compared with normal fibroblast cell lines.

• CS–AG:5-FU may be promising targeted nanocarrier to elucidate targeted bioactivity against colon cancer.

Keywords: :

• 5-fluorouracil
• acacia gum
• chitosan
• drug delivery
• nanoparticles

Author contributions

H Al-Nasrawi, N Shalan, BM Abualsoud and H Nsairat all contributed to samples preparation, characterization, data analysis and writing the first draft of the manuscript.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, stock ownership or options and expert testimony.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.