Strategies to Improve the Anticancer Action of 5-Fluorouracil By Using Magnetically Targeted Drug Delivery Systems

ABSTRACT

In this study the iron oxide incorporated gelatin nanoparticles (IOIGNPS) were prepared following an emulsion crosslinking method employing genipin as a non-toxic crosslinking agent. The drug loaded nanoparticles were characterised by analytical techniques. Whereas the FTIR spectra confirmed the crosslinking of gelatin by genipin and encapsulation of the drug, the TEM analysis revealed the nanosize (up to 100 nm) of the nanoparticles. The magnetisation study suggested for the superparamagnetic nature of nanoparticles. It was found that the amount of released drug increases with increasing percent loading of 5-FU in the range 21.1% to 44.4%. The release profiles of drug were affected by various experimental factors such as the amount and type of gelatin in the feed mixture, pH of the release media, nature of the release medium, and strength of the applied magnetic field. The swelling results indicated that the extent of swelling regulated the extent of drug release.

KEYWORDS:

• Gelatin
• genipin
• nanoparticles
• swelling
• 5 fluorouracil
• release

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India for awarding Women Scientist Fellowship to one of the authors (Dr. Jyoti Choubey) and IUC-DAE Indore (M.P.) for magnetization study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jyoti Choubey

Dr. Jyoti Choubey obtained her Ph.D.degree in the year 2006. The topic of her Ph.D. theissi was Studies on controlled release of some representative drugs from gelatin nanoparticles. She has publisehd 15 research papers in good national and international journlas. Currently she is working as an Assistant Professor in chemistry in the University Teaching Dept of Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur (MP), India.

A. K Bajpai

Dr.A.K.Bajpai obtianed his D.Sc. degree on the adsorption of proteins onto polymer surfaces in the year 2013 from Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur (MP), India. He has published more than 300 research papers in reputed jouranals (H infex 45) and gudied 60 candidates for Ph.D. degree. The major areas of interest include nanohydrogels, drug delivery systems, biopolymers and water remediation.