18. Oral colon cancer targeting by chitosan nanocomposites

Folic acid conjugated chitosan

Folic acid can be covalently conjugated to chitosan molecules via its gamma-carboxyl moiety and thus retains a high affinity for colon cancer cells bearing overly expressed

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Table 18.7 Experimental studies of hyaluronic acid coupled chitosan as anticolon cancer drug nanocarrier

Candidate	Experiment	Remark	Reference
5-Fluorouracil Oxaliplatin	Hyaluronic acid—coupled chitosan nanoparticles bearing 5-fluorouracil were prepared by ionotropic gelation method and their anticancer activity was tested in vitro by cell culture technique Hyaluronic acid—coupled chitosan nanoparticles bearing oxaliplatin in the form of conjugate were encapsulated in eudragit S100-coated pellets. The anticancer potential of the delivery system was examined in tumor- bearing Balb/c mice	The cytotoxicity of 5- fluorouracil incorporated in hyaluronic acid—coupled chitosan nanoparticles is found to be higher than 5- fluorouracil solution alone on HT29 cells Relatively high local drug concentration is found in the colonic milieu and colon tumors	[49] [50]

Table 18.8 Experimental studies of thiolated chitosan as anticolon cancer drug nanocarrier

Candidate	Experiment	Remark	Reference
Curcumin and 5- fluorouracil	Curcumin/5-fluorouracil loaded thiolated chitosan nanoparticles were formulated and subjected to anticancer activity tests using cell culture method. Their pharmacokinetics profiles were examined in vivo using a mouse model Poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles were coated with chitosan- glutathione conjugate for encapsulating paclitaxel. The nanoparticles were subjected to in vitro cell culture test for anticancer activity	The combination drug system shows enhanced anticancer effects on colon cancer cells in vitro and improved drug bioavailability in vivo	[52]
Paclitaxel		The nanoparticles are cytotoxic to NIH 3T3 and T47D breast carcinoma cells, along with no cytotoxicity for two colon cell lines (HT29, Caco2). Such particle design may bring no advantage with respect to colon cancer treatment	[53]

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