Purification, characterization and exploitation of Azadirachta indica gum for the production of drug loaded nanocarrier

Abstract

In this study, gum polysaccharide of Azadirachta indica was extracted and purified. The obtained polysaccharide was subjected to TLC chromatography, spectroscopic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and GC-MS analysis. The polysaccharide was found to have Glucose, Idosan, Allose, Galactose, Ribose and Xylose. The polysaccharide was not having antibacterial activity but possessed good antioxidant and anticancer activity. The extracted polysaccharide was further carboxymethylated and used for the synthesis of nanocarrier to carry anticancer drug, curcumin. Size of the drug unloaded nanocarrier were found to be size below 40 nm, whereas the drug loaded nanocarriers were around 50 to 70 nm. The nanocarriers were studied for cytotoxicity against MCF7 cancer cell line and found to be effective.