Enhanced anti-colon cancer efficacy of 5-fluorouracil by epigallocatechin-3- gallate co-loaded in wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated nanoparticles

Colon adenocarcinoma is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide owing to its aggressive nature. Here, we developed a novel oral drug delivery system (DDS) that comprised active targeted nanoparticles made from gelatin and chitosan (non-toxic polymers). The nanoparticles were fabricated using a complex coacervation method, which was accompanied by conjugation of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) onto their surface by glutaraldehyde cross-linking. Specifically, we integrated 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), the first-line treatment agent against colon cancer, and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which inhibits tumor growth via anti-angiogenesis and apoptosis-inducing effects, into the nanoparticles, named WGA-EF-NP. The 5-FU and EGCG co-loaded nanoparticles showed sustained drug release, enhanced cellular uptake, and longer circulation time. WGA-EF-NP exhibited superior anti-tumor activity and pro-apoptotic efficacy compared to the drugs and nanoparticles without WGA decoration owing to better bioavailability and longer circulation time in vivo. Thus, WGA-EF-NP shows promise as a DDS for enhanced efficacy against colon cancer. The complex coacervation method was employed with Chitosan (Gel) and Gelatin (Cs), as non-toxic polymers to fabricate the nanoparticles. While, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was packaged into the nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-assisted chemotherapy against colon cancer. Further, Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) was conjugated to the nanoparticle surface by glutaraldehyde cross-linking, which acted as the desirable mucoadhesive agent, named as WGA-EF-NP. [Display omitted]