Formulation and Evaluation of Nanoparticle-Embedded Hydrogel Systems for Controlled Release of Anticancer Agents

Shleghm MR

Published on: 2025-09-05

Abstract

Background: Conventional chemotherapy faces significant challenges including systemic toxicity, poor bioavailability, and non-selective distribution. Nanoparticle- embedded hydrogel systems represent a promising approach for localized and sustained anticancer drug delivery.

Objective: To develop and evaluate chitosan-alginate hydrogel systems embedded with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin for controlled anticancer drug release.

Methods: PLGA nanoparticles were synthesized using double emulsion solvent evaporation technique and characterized for size, zeta potential, and drug encapsulation efficiency. Nanoparticles were subsequently embedded into chitosan- alginate hydrogels via ionic gelation. The composite systems were evaluated for swelling behavior, drug release kinetics, cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and biocompatibility.

Results: PLGA nanoparticles exhibited mean diameter of 185.3 ± 12.4 nm with encapsulation efficiency of 78.2 ± 3.1%. Hydrogel-nanoparticle composites demonstrated pH-responsive swelling and sustained drug release over 168 hours following Higuchi kinetics model (R² = 0.9847). In vitro cytotoxicity studies showed enhanced anticancer efficacy with IC?? of 2.34 ± 0.28 μg/mL compared to free doxorubicin (IC?? = 4.67 ± 0.41 μg/mL). Biocompatibility studies confirmed minimal toxicity to normal fibroblast cells.

Conclusion: The developed nanoparticle-embedded hydrogel system successfully achieved controlled doxorubicin release with enhanced anticancer efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity, demonstrating significant potential for localized cancer therapy.