5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is the most used chemotherapeutic for colorectal cancer (CRC), improving the survival rate of patients between 10-15%. Nevertheless, just 1% is released in colon, making that the development of drug delivery systems (DDS) being a priority to improve its benefits [1]. For that, bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is an alternative, as it can achieve a high therapeutic concentration in the target site [2]. In the present work, a DDS based on 5-FU and NCB was developed. The system was characterized using adsorption isotherms and kinetics. Them, the system was encapsulated using spray-drying and the capsules were characterized using scanning electron microcopy (SEM), infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and desorption kinetics under stomach and colon simulated fluids. The results indicates that at 25 C was achieved a homogenous and stable Langmuir monolayer of 74 µg 5FU/mg BNC. The thermodynamic indicates a spontaneous adsorption process between 4 to 40 C, being 25 C the most appropriated temperature according to the enthalpy and entropy. The characterization of the capsules by SEM showed the common morphology of capsules made by spray-drying. The FTIR exposed changes in the BNC bands attributed to the 5-FU, and the thermal analysis exhibited a higher thermal stability of 5-FU when it was encapsulated due to a shift of its maximum degradation behavior to higher temperature. Finally, the desorption profile showed a pseudo-second order kinetic along with a higher desorption rate in the colon, due to the swelling capacity of BNC at neutral pH. Accordingly, 5-FU was successfully encapsulated on BNC forming a stable monolayer, showing its potential as DDS for CRC.

Development of a drug delivery system for 5-fluorouracilo based on bacterial nanocellulose for colorectal cancer

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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