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Investigation of the Role of Cellulose Nanocrystal Concentration in the Development of Poly vinyl alcohol/Bovine Serum Albumin Hydrogel Nanocomposites Reinforced with Polyethylene glycol and Folic Acid for Quercetin Delivery to MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells
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Ghazaleh Mousazadeh1    , Hashem Yaghoubi2 , Mehran Noruzpour3 |
1- Islamic Azad University, Ardabil
2- Islamic Azad University, Ardabil , yaghoubi_h@iau.ac.ir
3- University of Mohaghegh Ardabili |
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Abstract: (20 Views) |
Background and Aim: Nanotechnology has provided promising approaches for improving the delivery of drugs and bioactive compounds to cancer cells. In this study, a nanocarrier system based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and a Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)-Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) hydrogel modified with Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and folic acid was designed for the delivery of quercetin to MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Materials and Methods: Following nanoparticle synthesis, their physicochemical properties were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Dynamic light scattering (DLS). Following the loading of the quercetin drug into the resulting nanocapsules, the effect of different concentrations of cellulose NCRs in the synthesized nanocapsules on drug release at different pH levels over time was examined. Finally, cellular toxicity (on both cancerous and healthy cells) was assessed using the MTT assay.
Results: FTIR analysis confirmed the successful formation of BSA-PVA-Cel (with different concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg of cellulose NCRs) and the presence of functional groups from their constituent components. DLS results indicated that by increasing the concentration of cellulose nanocrystals from 50 to 200 mg, the particle size of Cel-Que increased from 322±7.14 nm to 363±3.21 nm, while the zeta potential decreased to -30.6±14.72 mV. The drug release pattern at different pH levels demonstrated that quercetin release from BPCQPF NCs was significantly dependent on pH, cellulose nanocrystal concentration, and time. Quercetin-loaded nanocapsules (BPCQPF) significantly enhanced cytotoxicity compared to drug-free carriers (BPCPF).
Conclusion: Smart BPCQPF nanocapsules, through pH-responsive release, enhance the anticancer effect of quercetin on MCF-7 cells and reduce its side effects. |
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| Keywords: Serum Albumin, Drug Delivery Systems, Cellulose, MCF-7 Cells, Quercetin |
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Nano technology
Received: 2025/12/10 | Accepted: 2026/09/28
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