Preparation and Characterization of Patuletin-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles with Improved Selectivity and Safety Profiles for Anticancer Applications

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the preparation of patuletin-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (PT-CS-NPs) using the ionic gelation method, evaluate their potential as anticancer agents, and invent a new method of differential pulse voltammetric analysis for patuletin (PT). Methods. Computational studies were conducted to assess the affinity of PT for chitosan, confirming a promising interaction. PT-CS-NPs were synthesized based on the computational outputs, resulting in nanoparticles with an angular structure and an average size of 6.168 nm. The cytotoxicity of PT and PT-CS-NP was evaluated in breast and colon cancer cell lines, and selectivity indices were calculated to assess safety profiles. The electrochemical behavior of PT was also investigated using the Britton-Robinson buffer. Results. PT-CS-NP exhibited both potent cytotoxicity and a favorable safety profile, showing the most active and safest pattern of cytotoxicity among the tested compounds. The electrochemical oxidation of PT was observed at 0.531 V vs. Ag/AgCl at pH 4.0.0. The concentration of PT showed a linear relationship with the corresponding peak current over the range of 10.0 x 10-9:10.0 x 10-5MM, with a minimum limit of detection of 3.4 × 10(-9)M. The proposed method successfully measured PT, with a relative standard deviation below 2%. Conclusion. The preparation of PT-CS-NP via the ionic gelation method resulted in angular nanoparticles with a promising anticancer activity and safety profiles. The electrochemical behavior of PT was characterized, and a reliable method for PT quantification was established.