Folate conjugated hyaluronic acid coated alginate nanogels encapsulated oxaliplatin enhance antitumor and apoptosis efficacy on colorectal cancer cells (HT29 cell line).

Oxaliplatin (OXA) has been widely used for treatment of colorectal cancer. In this study, to enhance antitumor and apoptosis efficacy, OXA was encapsulated in a novel folate conjugated hyaluronic acid coated alginate nanogels (F/HA/AL/OXA). The F/HA/AL/OXA nanogels were prepared by cross-linking process. The physico-chemical properties of F/HA/AL/OXA nanogels were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and fluorescent spectrophotometry. The in-vitro antitumor activity of free OXA, AL, HA/AL, HA/AL/OXA and F/HA/AL/OXA nanogels were assessed using MTT assay against colorectal cancer cells (HT29 cell line). Finally, the effect of F/HA/AL/OXA nanogels on genes expression of Bax and Bcl2 was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technique. The F/HA/AL/OXA nanogels were 200.3 nm in diameter and had a zeta potential of -22.0 mv. Antitumor activity of F/HA/AL/OXA nanogels on HT29 cell line indicated the highest antitumor activity as compared to free OXA and the empty nanogels. Compared to free OXA and the empty nanogels, the expression of Bax in HT29 cells treated with F/HA/AL/OXA nanogels was significantly increased along with suppression of Bcl-2 (p < .01). In general, the present F/HA/AL/OXA nanogels are a promising carrier candidate for OXA to improve the anti-tumor activity.