Evaluation of the effect of designed PLGA‐arctiin nanoparticles modified with folic acid and chitosan on colon cancer cells

Abstract

In this study, we designed nanoparticles (NPs) based on polylactic acid glycolic acid modified with chitosan and folic acid to optimize the anti‐cancer, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of arctiin (ARC), and we measured its effects on cancer cells, including colon cancer. NPs were synthesized using the W1/O/W2 double‐emulsion solvent evaporation method. Physicochemical characteristics of synthesized NPs (ARC‐PCF‐NPs), including average particle size, dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), field emission scanning electron microscope figures, and encapsulation efficiency (EE), were evaluated. 2,2′‐Azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods were carried out to determine the antioxidant properties of NPs. 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide assay was performed to investigate cytotoxicity effects on cancer cells and normal fibroblasts. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was also performed on inflammatory and antioxidant genes. The obtained results indicated that the synthesized NPs have a size of 100 nm, a DPI of 0.36, a ZP of 26.30 mV, and EE was calculated at about 87.5%. The antioxidant influence of ARC‐PCF‐NPs was confirmed by inhibiting ABTS and DPPH free radicals and ferrous reduction in the FRAP method. Moreover, the reduction of inflammatory and antioxidant genes confirmed the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties of NPs. These results indicate the modification of the surface of NPs in order to increase the bioavailability, stability, and effectiveness of medicinal compounds in therapeutic applications.

Development of chitosan-folate modified PLGA nanoparticles for targeted delivery of diosgenin as an anticancer agent

“…After the incubation, the pH was adjusted to 9, and the precipitate (FA-CS) was recovered using a centrifuge. The precipitate was lyophilized after dialysis [ 11 ].…”

“…The following step was adding 10 ml of PVA (0.1 percent) and incubating for 2 h on the stirrer. After the solvent had completely evaporated, the sample was centrifuged for 20 min at 13,000 rpm, and the supernatant was gathered to evaluate the efficacy of the diosgenin encapsulation [ 11 ].…”

“…Then, CS-FA solution was added dropwise to the PLGA-drug mixture. The resulting solution was stirred for 2 h, then centrifuged for 13 min at 13,000 rpm, and finally dried by a freeze dryer [ 11 ].…”