Development and evaluation of biodegradable alginate beads loaded with sorafenib for cancer treatment

The study focused on fabricating and characterizing sorafenib-loaded calcium alginate beads for potential cancer therapy application. The beads were synthesized via ionotropic gelation using calcium chloride as a crosslinker. Successful sorafenib encapsulation was confirmed through various analytical techniques, including FTIR, XRD, SEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. FTIR analysis showed shifts in characteristic bands, indicating effective drug loading. XRD patterns revealed both amorphous and crystalline characteristics, with peaks corresponding to the drug and polymer. SEM images depicted spherical beads with surface roughness. UV-Vis spectrum analysis demonstrated high encapsulation efficiencies ranging from 99.48 % to 99.82 %, depending on the sorafenib concentration. Biodegradation studies suggested the beads' potential for drug delivery, showing gradual weight and shape loss. Antioxidant assays indicated superior scavenging activity, while antibacterial assays showed good activity against Bacillus species. Cytotoxicity studies revealed specific toxicity against MCF7 breast cancer cells. Drug release data fitted well with the first-order model, indicating controlled release properties. These findings highlight the potential of sorafenib-loaded calcium alginate beads as an effective delivery system for cancer therapy. [Display omitted]