The present study aims at developing and characterizing gum odina ‐ sodium alginate based microsphere as a carrier for capecitabine. Microspheres with varying concentration of polymers (gum odina and sodium alginate) were formulated using calcium chloride as a cross‐linker by ionotropic gelation technique. The formulated microspheres were optimized by entrapment efficiency, drug yield, particle size, swelling index, and in vitro drug release study. The optimized microsphere (F6) was characterized in terms of SEM, AFM, FTIR, XRD, degradation study, moisture content study, and antioxidant activity. The F6 was spherical in shape with a mean diameter of 568.33 ± 45.76 μm and drug entrapment efficiency of 45.91 ± 2.94%. In vitro dissolution study of optimized formulation exhibited negligible released in 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) and followed by 100% release in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) within 24 h. In vitro cytotoxicity assay (MTT) of formulation F6 on HT29 human colon cancer cell line indicated inhibition of the proliferation of tumor cell over a longer period of time. The overall experiment indicated that capecitabine loaded natural polymers based formulated microsphere could be a promising approach for the prevention of colon cancer.

Colon cancer is the second most invasive cancer and fourth most common malignant neoplasm worldwide. Targeted oral colonic drug delivery systems have attracted considerable attention in the treatment of colon cancer due to their superior properties. However, the delivery of drugs safely and effectively to the target site of the colon tumor is a hindrance due to the complexity of the gastrointestinal structure. Herein, to achieve an effective delivery system specifically targeting the colon, we have taken concern by using natural polymer such as pullulan, signifying its flexibility and relevance in biomaterials science to design antineoplastic approaches. Here, we summarize the physicochemical properties, different pullulan derivatives and their biomedical application, several colon cancer‐related treatment, and pullulan and its derivatives‐based delivery systems towards colonic tissue.

The cover image designed by Ahana Hazra and co‐authors shows the development of a novel capecitabineloaded biopolymeric vehicle for the treatment of colon cancer. Microspheres with varying concentration of gum odina and sodium alginate were formulated using calcium chloride as a cross‐linker by ionotropic gelation technique. The gum odina was the natural exudate on the bark of odina woider and was collected in the dry condition. The sem photographs of microsphere showed a spherical shape with a rough surface and pores. This porous structure is desirable for water uptake, swelling, and releasing mechanisms in the colon cancer region. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.52374