title: Development and evaluation of 5-fluorouracil loaded chitin nanogels for treatment of skin cancer.
abstract: This study focuses on development and evaluation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) loaded chitin nanogels (FCNGs). It formed good, stable aqueous dispersion with spherical particles in 120-140 nm size range and showed pH responsive swelling and drug release. The FCNGs showed toxicity on melanoma (A375) in a concentration range of 0.4-2.0mg/mL, but less toxicity toward human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells by MTT assay. Confocal analysis revealed uptake of FCNGs by both cells. From skin permeation experiments, FCNGs showed almost same steady state flux as that of control 5-FU but the retention in the deeper layers of skin was found to be 4-5 times more from FCNGs. Histopathological evaluation revealed loosening of the horny layer of epidermis by interaction of cationically charged chitin, with no observed signs of inflammation and so FCNGs can be a good option for treatment of skin cancers.
authors.affiliation: Amrita Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, AIMS Health Sciences Campus, Kochi 682041, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabitha
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sanoj Rejinold
authors.forename: Amrita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Vinoth-Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Lakshmanan
authors.forename: Shantikumar V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jayakumar
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001692:Biological Transport; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002686:Chitin / Q000737:chemistry*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D010539:Permeability; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005782:Gels; D002686:Chitin; D005472:Fluorouracil