The Therapeutic Effect of Zno-Loaded Alginate Nanoparticles on Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

Nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in the field of cancer therapy due to their unique properties and potential applications. In this study, Zinc Oxide/Alginate Nanoparticles (ZnO/Alg NPs) were synthesized and characterized for their morphology, chemical composition, and cytotoxic effects on pancreatic cancer cell lines. The preparation of ZnO/Alginate involved the interaction of zinc ions with sodium Alginate, resulting in the formation of stable nanoparticles embedded within the alginate matrix. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) revealed the nanometer-scale morphology of the nanoparticles, with a size estimated at 58.01 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups associated with ZnO nanocomposite, including Zn-O bond stretching and –OH vibrations. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) showed spherical-shaped nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 30 to 40 nm, indicating potential reactivity due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio. Cytotoxicity evaluation of ZnO/Alginate Nanoparticles on pancreatic cancer cell lines demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect at higher concentrations (200, 400, and 800 μg/ml), with an IC50 value of 200 μg/ml. Lower concentrations showed minimal impact on cell viability, while the highest dose exhibited a pronounced decrease in cell proliferation.

Overall, this study highlights the potential of ZnO/Alginate Nanoparticles as promising candidates for cancer therapy, offering insights into their synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity profile against pancreatic cancer cells. Further investigations are warranted to explore their therapeutic efficacy and biocompatibility in preclinical and clinical settings.