title: 5-Fluorouracil encapsulated alginate beads for the treatment of breast cancer.
abstract: Alginate beads containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were prepared by the gelation of alginate with calcium cations. Alginate beads loaded with 5-FU were prepared at 1.0 and 2.0% (w/v) polymers. The effect of polymer concentration and the drug loading (1.0, 5.0 and 10%) on the release profile of 5-FU was investigated. As the drug load increased, larger beads were obtained in which the resultant beads contained higher 5-FU content. The encapsulation efficiencies obtained for 5-FU loads of 1.0, 5.0 and 10% (w/v) were 3.5, 7.4 and 10%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis revealed differences between the formulations as to their appearance and size distribution. The amount of 5-FU released from the alginate beads increased with decreasing alginate concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, 06100 Sihhiye-Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arica
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caliş
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaş
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sargon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hincal
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005079:Excipients; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005079:Excipients; D005472:Fluorouracil