Amygdalin-loaded alginate-chitosan nanoparticles as biodegradable drug delivery carrier to evaluate anticancer efficacy

Abstract

The major thrust in pharmaceutic research is developing better drug delivery system that can deliver drugs at the required dosage, to the right place and at an appropriate time. Drug-loaded nanoparticles are such delivery system. In the present research study, the potential of amygdalin-loaded alginate–chitosan nanoparticles (ACNPs) for delivery to cancer cells was investigated. The nanoparticles were prepared by biocompatible, mucoadhesive and biodegradable polymers (alginate–chitosan) by using ionotropic pre-gelation method followed by polyelectrolyte complexation. The amygdalin-loaded ACNPs were ~119 ± 19 nm in average size, showed high zeta potential of -36 ± 0.88 mV and drug encapsulation efficiency of ~90%. The ACNPs were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In vitro, amygdalin release and swelling ability at various pH values were also investigated. They exhibited sustained drug release within 10 h and significant swelling rates at neutral and slightly acidic environment. The transmigration and mucoadhesive study under 10 dynes/cm2 shear flow stress in BioFlux system were investigated. The alginate–chitosan nanoparticles successfully adhered to porcine mucin type II. The therapeutic efficiency of amygdalin against cancer was evaluated on human lung cancer cell lines through cytotoxic MTT assay. The cytotoxicity assay showed that amygdalin-loaded ACNPs demonstrated sustained and greater anti-cancerous effect on H1299 cell line in a dose-dependent manner. The loaded amygdalin showed more cytotoxic effect than free amygdalin. It may be due to the greater cellular uptake of nanoparticles loaded amygdalin than native amygdalin. In conclusion, biocompatible and biodegradable alginate–chitosan nanoparticles can be used as an effective drug delivery system for sustained and controlled intracellular amygdalin release and an improved cytotoxic effect of amygdalin against multiple tumors.