Chitin nanogels as an effective nanocarrier for the treatment of melanoma via the transdermal route

Abstract

The use of nanocarriers is one among the many strategies used for enhancing penetration of drugs in transdermal delivery. The nanogels have the advantage of newlineenvironment responsive property too. The main hypothesis of this study was that the newlinechitin nanogels (CNGs) based on its size and surface properties can be a good carrier newlinefor enhanced permeation and retention of drugs through the skin. The chitin nanogels newlineprepared by regeneration was characterized by various techniques like DLS, SEM, newlineFTIR, TG/DTA etc and the hemocompatibility as well as cytocompatibility were assessed. The potential for skin penetration was assessed by FTIR analysis of the newlineacceptor fluid collected as well as by UV imaging of the acceptor fluid from the study newlineusing Rhodamine123 conjugated chitin nanogels (Rhod-CNGs), the results of which clearly indicated the skin penetration capability of CNGs. In the second part of the study, we prepared drug loaded chitin nanogels with newlineone lipophilic drug curcumin and one hydrophilic drug 5-Fluorouracil. These two newlinenanogels were also characterized in the same way as chitin nanogels. Both these nanogels showed cationic charge, desirable size in the nanoregimen and enhanced thermal stability. The hemolysis assay and PT-APTT test were carried out to ensure newlinehemocompatibility. The control as well the drug loaded nanogels showed pH responsive swelling at acidic pH leading to enhanced drug release in the acidic environment. This is desirable as pH in the tumor environment is acidic. The cytotoxicity assay results of curcumin loaded chitin nanogels (CCNGs) showed specific toxicity towards human melanoma (A375) cells compared to the normal human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. The CCNGs at the higher concentration selected showed almost 80% cell death in case of A 375 in the MTT assay whereas it newlinewas only around 30% in case of HDF. The FCNGs on the other hand killed only 50% of cells in case of A375 and 40% in case of HDF.