Ph-Sensitive Docetaxel-Loaded Chitosan/Thiolated Hyaluronic Acid Polymeric Nanoparticles for Colorectal Cancer
Sobia Noreen, Fahad Pervaiz, Munazza Ijaz, Muhammad Farhan Hanif, Jam Riyan Hamza, Hassan Mahmood, Hina Shoukat, Irsah Maqbool, Muhammad Azeem Ashraf
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to develop and evaluate pH-sensitive docetaxel-loaded thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) nanoparticles (NPs) for targeted treatment of colon cancer. Materials & methods: HA-SH, synthesized via oxidation and subsequent covalent linkage to cysteamine, served as the precursor for developing HA-SH NPs through polyelectrolyte complexation involving chitosan and thiol-bearing HA. Results & conclusion: HA-SH NPs displayed favorable characteristics, with small particle sizes (184–270 nm), positive zeta potential (15.4–18.6 mV) and high entrapment efficiency (91.66–95.02%). In vitro, NPs demonstrated potent mucoadhesion and enhanced cytotoxicity compared with free docetaxel. In vivo assessments confirmed safety and biocompatibility, suggesting HA-SH NPs as promising pH-sensitive drug carriers with enhanced antitumor activity for colorectal cancer treatments.