Medium molecular weight chitosan and magnetite based bead as a nanocomposite for delivery of anticancer drug: Development, evaluation and biocompatibility study.

AIM & BACKGROUND: Increased efficacy with reduced side effects in cancer treatment is achieved through targeted distribution of anti-cancer medications. Because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and target ability under magnetic field, magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) based chitosan nanocomposite have attracted attention among other delivery technologies.

METHODOLOGY

MNPs were synthesised using the co-precipitation method. After the successful synthesis of MNPs, it was successfully encapsulated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) within chitosan beads, making it ideal for targeted drug delivery to treat breast cancer cells. The properties of MNP-based drug-loaded chitosan nanocomposite were characterised by various characterization techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), atomic force microscopy (AFM). Entrapment efficiency and cytotoxicity studies of MNP-based drug-loaded chitosan nanocomposites by MTT were also conducted. The release study of the drug from MNP-based drug-loaded chitosan nanocomposite under different pH conditions was also investigated.

RESULTS

Instrumental analysis showed successful preparation of MNP-based drug-loaded chitosan nanocomposite. The entrapment efficiency of MNP-based drug-loaded chitosan nanocomposite was 85 % to 90 %. MTT study also proved its toxicity against breast cancer cells, and with increased concentration percentage, cell viability decreases. The release study showed that the release of the drug from MNP-based drug-loaded chitosan nanocomposite varied under different pH conditions.

CONCLUSION

Hence, MNP-based drug-loaded chitosan nanocomposite has the potential to be utilised as a targeted drug delivery vehicle for the treatment of breast cancer cells.