Design and Development of Polyphenol Nanoparticles using Biodegradable Polymer for Enhanced Anticancer Activity

Cancer is a leading cause of global mortality. While various treatments exist for malignancies, they often come with adverse effects, necessitating targeted drug delivery. Clinical studies have highlighted the potential of natural bioactive polyphenols like ellagic acid and coumaric acid in cancer therapy. This study focuses on nanoparticles containing a combination of ellagic acid and coumaric acid to enhance their anticancer properties. Sodium alginate, a biodegradable polymer, is used to encapsulate these agents. The nanoparticles are characterized using several techniques, including particle size analysis, zeta potential measurement, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Entrapment efficiency and drug content are also determined, along with drug release profiles observed in in vitro studies. The cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles on the MCF-7 cell line is assessed through the MTT test. The results suggest that ellagic acid and coumaric acid act synergistically, increasing their anticancer potential. The study also highlights the advantage of oral administration as a potential route of delivery, as the sodium alginate platform appears to be effective in ensuring that the nanoparticles target cancer cells directly, reducing the likelihood of adverse effects on healthy tissues. Present study approach could help to improve treatment outcomes for breast cancer patients by increasing the concentration of the therapeutic agents at the tumor site while minimizing systemic side effects. Overall, this work shows promise for advancing targeted cancer therapy using natural compounds in a biocompatible nanoparticle formulation.