Doxorubicin-Loaded Eudragit-Coated Chitosan Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Colon Cancers

摘要

The present investigation is aimed at developing doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded Eudragit coated chitosan nanoparticles to treat colorectal cancers. The main objective was to limit the side effects of DOX and to increase its chemotherapeutic efficiency when loaded in nanoparticulate systems. The drug-loaded delivery system was characterized for its pH sensitive release pattern. The pH targeting approach is considered as one of the most successful strategy in colon cancer targeting. Our results show that Eudragit coating prevented the drug release at the upper gastrointestinal tract (pH 1.2 and pH 6.8). This enables the colon cancer targeting potential for E-CH-DOX. The nanoparticle showed an enhanced cellular uptake in HCT-116 cancer cells and showed significant anticancer effect in a time-and dose-dependent manner. The apoptosis assay further confirmed the superior cytotoxic effect of E-CH-DOX. The cells treated with nanoparticle formulations showed the maximum presence in early and late apoptosis stages. The in vivo animal study further confirmed the tumor regression ability of E-CH-DOX with lowest tumor volume. These results clearly suggest the role of E-CH-DOX in the potential treatment of colorectal cancers.