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Nanotechnology

Biosynthesized Chitosan Nanoparticles Show Promise in Liver Cancer Treatment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research from Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute in Egypt has shed light on the potential of biosynthesized chitosan nanoparticles in treating liver cancer. The study, published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, presents a novel green-synthesis strategy for chitosan nanoparticles using Gelidium amansii hot-water extract as a crosslinking and stabilizing agent. The resulting chitosan nanoparticles exhibit excellent biocompatibility, mucoadhesive capabilities, and anticancer efficacy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UV-vis spectrum of the biosynthesized chitosan nanoparticles shows a strong absorption peak at 243 nm, indicating their potential for drug delivery applications.
  • Transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals the nanoparticles are spherical with sizes ranging from 5.1 to 13.57 nm, which is suitable for cellular uptake.
  • Fourier-Transform Infra-Red analysis proves the presence of multiple functional groups on the chitosan nanoparticles' surface, which is essential for their interaction with biological molecules.
  • Face-centered central composite design is used to maximize the chitosan nanoparticles' yield, resulting in a maximum yield of 13.1 mg/mL.
  • Doxorubicin is successfully loaded into the chitosan nanoparticles with an encapsulation efficiency of 65.42 ± 0.03% and a drug loading of 11.89 ± 0.01%.
  • The chitosan nanoparticles demonstrate a strong capacity to interact with receptor proteins through numerous hydrogen bond interactions, which is crucial for their potential therapeutic applications.
  • The study highlights the potential of chitosan nanoparticles in biological and pharmacological applications requiring protein-ligand interactions.

Statistics:

  • The UV-vis spectrum shows a strong absorption peak at 243 nm.
  • The sizes of the biosynthesized chitosan nanoparticles vary from 5.1 to 13.57 nm.
  • The face-centered central composite design yields a maximum of 13.1 mg/mL of chitosan nanoparticles.
  • Doxorubicin loading results in an encapsulation efficiency of 65.42 ± 0.03% and a drug loading of 11.89 ± 0.01%.
  • The IC values for DOX, chitosan-NPs, and chitosan-NPs + DOX for HePG-2 cells are 7.32 ± 0.5, 21.17 ± 1.4, and 5.90 ± 0.3 mg/mL, respectively.

Sources:

  • El-Ahmady El-Naggar, N. et al. (2025). Innovative strategy for chitosan nanoparticles biosynthesis using Gelidium amansii, statistical optimization, characterization, cytotoxicity and molecular docking against hepatocellular carcinoma. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 143687.
  • NewsRx. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute Reports Findings in Liver Cancer (Innovative strategy for chitosan nanoparticles biosynthesis using Gelidium amansii, statistical optimization, characterization, cytotoxicity and ...). Nanotechnology Weekly. May 19, 2025; p 472.

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