Cetuximab-conjugated andrographolide loaded chitosan-pectin composite nanoparticles for colorectal cancer

Abstract

The target specificity of drug-loaded nanoparticles can be increased by coating them with ligands that can bind to the target receptors overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells. The purpose of the current study was to examine the potential therapeutic importance of cetuximab-conjugated chitosan-pectin composite nanoparticles as novel nanocarriers for targeted delivery of andrographolide for colon cancer therapy against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in mice. The animals were divided into six groups: control, DMH, andro-treated group, unconjugated nanoparticle-treated group (Ch-Pec-Andro-NPs), conjugated nanoparticle-treated group (Cet-Ch-Pec-Andro-NPs), and 5-Flurouracil-treated group (5-FU). The results from the study showed that the abnormal levels of most of the haematological, liver, and kidney tissue function markers, lipid profile, aberrant crypt foci (ACF), and colorectal markers induced by DMH were observed to be ameliorated in the treatment groups in increasing order of activity, i.e., Andro, Ch-Pec-Andro-NPs, and Cet-Ch-Pec-Andro-NPs. Despite the fact that the same amount of andrographolide was used in each treatment group, the improved therapeutic activity of Cet-Ch-Pec-Andro-NPs was attributed to the targeted delivery of andrographolide to the cancer site, which was facilitated by an anti-EGFR antibody decorated on its surface.