Cited by 143Nanoparticle-Based Drug DeliveryAdvanced Drug Delivery SystemsDrug Solubulity and Delivery Systems

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 39 of the 39 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 2 of the 30 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

The use of chitosan-coated flexible liposomes as a remarkable carrier to enhance the antitumor efficacy of 5-fluorouracil against colorectal cancer

Open access

Abstract

Surface-coated nanocarriers have been extensively used to enhance the delivery of anticancer drugs and improve their therapeutic index. In this study, chitosan (CS)-coated flexible liposomes (chitosomes) containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were designed and characterized for use as a novel approach to target colon cancer cells. 5-FU-loaded flexible liposomes (F1, F2, and F3) and 5-FU-loaded chitosomes (F4, F5, and F6) were prepared using film hydration and electrostatic deposition techniques, respectively. The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE%), morphology, and in vitro drug release ability, and cytotoxicity of the formulations were determined. The results revealed that the size of chitosomes ranged from 212 to 271 nm with a positive surface charge of 6.1 to 14.7 mV, whereas the particle size of liposomes ranged from 108 to 234 nm with negative surface charges of −2.3 to −16.3. F3 and F6 had a spherical shape with a rough surface structure. The in vitro drug release study revealed that chitosomes retard 5-FU release as opposed to the 5-FU solution and liposomes. The cytotoxicity study using a colon cancer cell line (HT-29) showed that 5-FU-loaded chitosomes were more effective in killing cancer cells in a sustained manner than liposomes and the 5-FU solution. Chitosomes were therefore successfully developed as nanocarriers of 5-FU, with potential cytotoxicity for colorectal cancer cells.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

5-FU-loaded chitosan-coated flexible liposomes (chitosomes) were prepared and characterized, showing positive surface charge, improved entrapment, sustained release, and sustained cytotoxicity against HT-29 colon cancer cells. The authors conclude chitosomes are promising nanocarriers for 5-FU in colorectal cancer therapy.

Key findings

  • Chitosomes F4–F6 had particle sizes of 212, 236, and 271 nm and positive zeta potentials of 6.1, 8.3, and 14.7 mV; uncoated liposomes F1–F3 were 234, 146, and 108 nm with negative zeta potentials of −2.3, −7.5, and −16.3 mV. CSNPs were 194 nm with +28.8 mV.
  • EE% and DL% were 37%, 46%, and 42% and 2.5%, 4.8%, and 3.1% for F1–F3; 45%, 55%, and 51% and 4.2%, 6.1%, and 5.6% for F4–F6; and 61% and 7.3% for CSNPs.
  • 5-FU solution released ~70% within 1 h and almost 100% within 2 h. Liposomes F1–F3 released 43.6%, 49.8%, and 54.1% at 2 h and 61.6%, 68.7%, and 70.9% at 12 h; chitosomes F4–F6 released 40.7%, 46.5%, and 31.4% at 4 h and 53.4%, 50.1%, and 44.6% at 12 h; CSNPs released 57.5% at 4 h, 73.9% at 12 h, and 87.4% at 24 h.
  • In HT-29 cells, unloaded formulations and PBS showed >90% survival. Free 5-FU was more effective at low concentrations (3.1–25 μg/mL), while liposomes reduced cell growth more rapidly at high concentrations (50–400 μg/mL); chitosomes reduced viability in a sustained manner.

Methods

  • 5-FU-loaded liposomes were prepared by thin-film hydration, chitosomes by electrostatic deposition of chitosan onto liposomes, and CSNPs by TPP crosslinking.
  • Formulations were characterized for particle size, PDI, zeta potential, EE%, DL%, TEM morphology, and physical stability at 4 °C for 1 month.
  • In vitro 5-FU release used dialysis in PBS pH 7.4 at 37 ± 0.5 °C; hemocompatibility used erythrocyte hemolysis; cytotoxicity used MTT in HT-29 cells at 3.1–400 μg/mL for 24 h.

Limitations

  • The paper does not state limitations explicitly; the conclusion notes that future studies will aim to improve the anticancer effectiveness of 5-FU.
  • Evident from the text: efficacy is limited to in vitro HT-29 cytotoxicity and release studies, with no in vivo tumor model, pharmacokinetics, or biodistribution data.
  • Evident from the text: chitosomes showed minor to moderate hemolysis and CSNPs showed significant hemolysis, which may limit systemic use; physical stability was assessed only for 1 month at 4 °C.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.jsps.2019.02.008

Cites

39 of 39 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Figures

Fig. 1 Particle size and zeta potential of F3 and F6 (A), and images of F3, F6, and CSNPs (B).
Fig. 1 Particle size and zeta potential of F3 and F6 (A), and images of F3, F6, and CSNPs (B).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 2 Entrapment efficiency (EE%) and drug loading (DL%) of 5-FU-loaded liposomes, chitosomes, and CSNPs (Mean ± SD, n = 3).
Fig. 2 Entrapment efficiency (EE%) and drug loading (DL%) of 5-FU-loaded liposomes, chitosomes, and CSNPs (Mean ± SD, n = 3).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 3 Transmission electron microscopy micrographs of liposomes (F3) and chitosomes (F6).
Fig. 3 Transmission electron microscopy micrographs of liposomes (F3) and chitosomes (F6).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 4 Variation in particle size of 5-FU-loaded liposomes, chitosomes, and CSNPs during storage at 4 °C (Mean ± SD, n = 3).
Fig. 4 Variation in particle size of 5-FU-loaded liposomes, chitosomes, and CSNPs during storage at 4 °C (Mean ± SD, n = 3).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 5 In vitro release profile of 5-FU from 5-FU solution, 5-FU-loaded liposomes, chitosomes, and CSNPs in PBS (pH 7.4) at 37 ± 0.5 °C (Mean ± SD, n = 3).
Fig. 5 In vitro release profile of 5-FU from 5-FU solution, 5-FU-loaded liposomes, chitosomes, and CSNPs in PBS (pH 7.4) at 37 ± 0.5 °C (Mean ± SD, n = 3).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 6 Hemolysis test results obtained using the naked eye (6, negative control; 2, positive control; 3–9, test samples).
Fig. 6 Hemolysis test results obtained using the naked eye (6, negative control; 2, positive control; 3–9, test samples).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 7 Cytotoxicity of 5-FU from 5-FU-loaded liposomes, chitosomes and CSNPs in the HT-29 cell line (Mean ± SD, n = 6).
Fig. 7 Cytotoxicity of 5-FU from 5-FU-loaded liposomes, chitosomes and CSNPs in the HT-29 cell line (Mean ± SD, n = 6).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central

Verification

Claims the paper makes

24 Own result · 16 No full text of the sources · 9 Own interpretation · 7 Not checked yet · 4 No basis given · 2 Partly supported · 1 Check pending · 1 Own method · accuracy not yet measured

Verify all 6 references — free account

Show all 31 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 10
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 24
33 of 33
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Adequate data regarding CS-coated liposomes as a delivery system for 5-FU have not yet been presented in the literature.

    “However, adequate data regarding CS-coated liposomes as a delivery system for 5-FU have not yet been presented in the literature.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The amount of drug detected in the donor compartment during the first 2 h was mainly due to un-entrapped drug.

    “The amount of drug detected in the donor compartment during the first 2 h was mainly due to un-entrapped drug. This assumption correlates with the EE% data”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    5-FU is a hydrophilic molecule and is expected to accumulate in the hydrophilic core of liposomes.

    “As 5-FU is a hydrophilic molecule, it is expected to accumulate in the hydrophilic core of liposomes.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    5-FU is a small and hydrophilic molecule; therefore, it can easily leach from the lipid membrane.

    “5-FU is a small and hydrophilic molecule; therefore, it can easily leach from the lipid membrane.”
4 of 4

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

5 of 5

Citations

Cites

Show all 39 references

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Paolino, D., Fresta, M., Sinha, P., Ferrari, M. 2006. In: Webester, J.G. (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Medical Devices and Instrumentation, second ed., vol. 437. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Items 101–143 of 143

Metadata

Authors
Alomrani, A., Badran, M., Harisa, G. I., ALshehry, M., Alhariri, M., Alshamsan, A., & Alkholief, M.
Affiliations
  • King Saud University (SA)
  • Al-Azhar University (EG)
  • King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (SA)
Corresponding author
Alshamsan, Aws
Venue
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal
Published
2019-07
Volume
27
Issue
5
Pages
603-611
ISSN
1319-0164 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2919083801
Cited by
143
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 4
FWCI
3.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
King Saud University
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Drug Solubulity and Delivery Systems
Keywords
chitosan-coated liposomes, chitosomes, 5-fluorouracil, colorectal cancer, drug delivery nanocarriers, electrostatic deposition, film hydration, sustained drug release, HT-29 cells, cytotoxicity, anticancer drug delivery

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