Characterization and Biodegradation Studies for Interpenetrating Polymeric Network (IPN) of Chitosan-Amino Acid Beads

The paper describes the synthesis of pH sensitive interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) beads composed of chi-tosan, glycine, glutamic acid, cross linked with glutaraldehyde and their use for controlled drug release. The drug was loaded into beads by varying their composition such as, amount of crosslinker glutaraldehyde, ratio of chitosan, glycine and glutamic acid. The beads were characterized by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to confirm the cross linking reaction and drug interaction with crosslinked polymer in beads, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to understand the surface morphology and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to find out the thermal stability of beads. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) investigation was carried out to determine the crystalline nature of drug after loading into chitosan-glycine-glutamic acid IPN beads. Results indicated amorphous dispersion of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) in the polymeric matrix. The swelling behavior of the beads at different time intervals was monitored in solutions of pH 2.0 and pH 7.4. The release experiments were performed in solutions of pH 2.0 and pH 7.4 at 37oC using chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) as a model drug. The swelling behavior and release of drug were observed to be dependent on pH, degree of cross linking and their composition. The results indicate that the cross linked IPN beads of chitosan-glycine-glutamic acid might be useful as a vehicle for controlled release of drug. The kinetics of drug release from beads was best fitted by Higuchi’s model in which release rate is largely governed by rate of diffusion through the matrix.

Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Effect on Viability of Human Non-Small Lung Cancer Cells

Gold nanoparticles recently showed great interest for many uses including food, drug and medical applications. The algae Undaria sp. well known as wakame in South Asia are considered to be large edible brown algae. It provides nutritious source of dietary fiber, vitamin Bs and mineral. The present study aimed to investigate the use of Undaria sp. for green synthesis of metallic gold nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized for physicochemical properties including size measurement and tested in vitro for their effect on viability of human non-small lung cancer H-460 cell line using the MTT assay. From the results, brown algae were able to chemically form nanoparticles with chloroauric acid solution possibly due to the sulphated polysaccharides found in algae. The particle sizes were found to be approximately 10 nm. The gold nanoparticles stabilized by the algae could decrease the cancer cell viability. However, the properties and biological activity of nanoparticles seemed to depend upon reaction time and temperature. Conclusively, gold nanoparticles synthesized and stabilized by the algae could decrease the cancer cell viability, thus indicating the potential of such nanoparticles for further study for anticancer activity.