Gelatin–rosin gum complex nanoparticles: preparation, characterization and colon targeted delivery of 5-fluorouracil

Gelatin-rosin gum complex nanoparticles (GGR NPs ) have been synthesized by complex coacervation method. The particles were extensively characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and particle size analysis based on dynamic light scattering (DLS). The GGR NP3 were stable and their average particle size was ~ 153 nm. GGR NPs were evaluated as the carrier matrix for 5-fluoro uracil (5-FU), and the release behavior of 5-FU was examined by swelling and in vitro dissolution tests in simulated gastrointestinal fluid (SGF) for first 2 h followed by 14 h in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). About 71% drug release was witnessed (SGF = 21%; SIF = 50%) over a time span of 16 h, in contrast to native gelatin or rosin gum where under identical conditions the release exhausted within 7 h and 10 h, respectively. The release profile followed the first-order kinetics and the diffusion exponent ( n ) values obtained from the Korsemeyer−Peppas model ranged between 0.5