Interpenetrating polymeric networks of chitosan and egg white with dual crosslinking agents polyethylene glycol/polyvinylpyrrolidone as a novel drug carrier

Abstract

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) using chitosan and egg white cross linked with polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol was prepared by heat coagulation method. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was chosen as a model drug which is effective for several cancer treatments. Eleven formulations were prepared by keeping chitosan concentration constant and varying the concentration of egg white and heating time. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using FE-SEM, FT-IR, P-XRD and TG/DTG studies. FE-SEM analysis indicated that the IPN nanoparticles exhibit a uniform and compact dense morphology. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of interpenetrating network and the chemical stability of 5-FU after penetration into IPN nanoparticles. P-XRD results demonstrated that the drugs were distributed in amorphous state in the IPN nanoparticles. Particle size, poly-dispersity index and zeta potential were evaluated. The entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release behavior of drug loaded IPN nanoparticles were also studied. Entrapment efficiency is high for F-3 formulation. The release rate is relatively higher at alkaline pH 7.4 as compared to acidic pH 1.2 and this feature is desirable from perspective of site specific drug delivery. Cell cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assay into HT 29 cell line and found that 5-FU loaded IPN nanoparticles prolonged the cytotoxic effect on HT-29 colon cancer cell lines in comparison to free 5-FU. This work provides a promising delivery system for sustained release of 5-FU.