Preparation and Characterization of Patuletin-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles with Improved Selectivity and Safety Profiles for Anticancer Applications

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the preparation of patuletin-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (PT-CS-NPs) using the ionic gelation method, evaluate their potential as anticancer agents, and invent a new method of differential pulse voltammetric analysis for patuletin (PT). Methods. Computational studies were conducted to assess the affinity of PT for chitosan, confirming a promising interaction. PT-CS-NPs were synthesized based on the computational outputs, resulting in nanoparticles with an angular structure and an average size of 6.168 nm. The cytotoxicity of PT and PT-CS-NP was evaluated in breast and colon cancer cell lines, and selectivity indices were calculated to assess safety profiles. The electrochemical behavior of PT was also investigated using the Britton–Robinson buffer. Results. PT-CS-NP exhibited both potent cytotoxicity and a favorable safety profile, showing the most active and safest pattern of cytotoxicity among the tested compounds. The electrochemical oxidation of PT was observed at 0.531 V vs. Ag/AgCl at pH 4.0.0. The concentration of PT showed a linear relationship with the corresponding peak current over the range of 10.0 x 10 − 9 : 10.0 x 10 − 5 M M, with a minimum limit of detection of 3.4 × 10(−9)M. The proposed method successfully measured PT, with a relative standard deviation below 2%. Conclusion. The preparation of PT-CS-NP via the ionic gelation method resulted in angular nanoparticles with a promising anticancer activity and safety profiles. The electrochemical behavior of PT was characterized, and a reliable method for PT quantification was established.