Improving Release Profile and Anticancer Activity of 5-Fluorouracil for Breast Cancer Therapy Using a Double Drug Delivery System: Chitosan/Agarose/γ-Alumina Nanocomposite@Double Emulsion.

Chitosan and agarose were crosslinked to form a polymeric hydrogel and γ-alumina nanoparticles were incorporated within the hydrogel to obtain a nanocomposite for delivery of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (Chitosan/Agarose/γ-alumina/5-FU). The nanocomposite was entrapped in a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion system. The size of the nanoparticles was measured using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. The zeta potential value of the nanoparticles was measured for evaluating their stability. To determine the morphology of the nanocarrier, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was employed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was applied to identify the bonds between the components of the nanocarrier and verify entrapment of 5-FU. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed to determine crystallinity of nanoparticles. To determine the influence of including inorganic nanoparticles on loading and encapsulation efficiency, the two parameters were calculated with and without the presence of γ-alumina. In vitro release experiment was performed in acidic and neutral environment through which the pH-sensitivity of the nanocarrier was revealed. MTT assay and flow cytometry using breast cancer cells (MCF-7) demonstrated superiority of 5-FU-loaded nanoemulsion compared to free 5-FU in eliminating cancerous cells. These results led to recognition of the fabricated nanomaterial as an efficient carrier for 5-FU and breast cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]