Preparation and Characterization of a Chitosan-Based Nanoformulation Containing <i>Prangos acaulis</i> Extract and Evaluation of Its Effect on the Viability of HT-29 and MCF-7 Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: Utilizing the advantages of biocompatible nanoparticles, such as chitosan, can enhance the bioactivity and bioavailability of phytochemicals with medicinal effects, particularly anticancer phytocompounds. Objectives: In this study, the effect of a chitosan-based nano-formulation on the cytotoxicity of the methanolic extract of Prangos acaulis was evaluated against HT-29 and MCF-7 cell lines. Methods: For this purpose, the methanol extract of P. acaulis was loaded into chitosan nanoparticles (Chitosan-NPs) during the ionic gelation process using tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a cross-linker. The synthesized nanoparticles, after separation from the unloaded free extract and freeze-drying, were characterized in terms of appearance, morphology, average hydrodynamic diameter, average surface charge, and the presence of specific absorption peaks using field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), DLS, zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, respectively. Results: The results showed that the efficiency of the extract loading process was 88.5%, and the produced nanoparticles had a semi-spherical to amorphous appearance with a loading capacity (LC) of 54.2%, an average hydrodynamic diameter of 79.8 ± 4.5 nm, and a positive surface charge of +48.4 mV. Additionally, it was found that the release of the extract from the nanoparticles followed a sustained release pattern and caused cytotoxicity against the studied cell lines at lower concentrations compared to the free extract. Conclusions: According to the obtained results, the chitosan-based nano-formulation of the investigated extract possesses the necessary and appropriate characteristics for further in vitro and in vivo investigations of its anticancer potential.