Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/graphene oxide composite as drug carrier system for 5‐fluorouracil

Aim This study aims to prepare a nanocomposite (HPMC/5‐FL@GO) from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and graphene oxide (GO) as biocompatible materials. The nanocomposite enhances the drug activity of immobilized 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), decreasing the side effect of long‐run treatment protocols with highly efficient drug‐drug activity. Method and results Different samples were characterized by ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic light scattering along with cytotoxicity and anticancer study. A homogenous and compatible nanocomposite structure with a homogenous drug distribution was confirmed. Furthermore, the prepared nanocomposite has a low cytotoxicity effect against normal Vero cell lines compared with 5‐FU. The antitumor activities of the same nanocomposite (20.4 and 74.3 μg mL−1 on A549 and HepG‐2) were lower than that of 5‐FU (54.1 and 103 μg mL−1 on A549 and HepG‐2). Conclusion and implications According to the attained results, the HPMC/5‐FL@GO can apply in a biomedical application such as cancer therapy with the unique biocompatible to human cells. Graphical and Lay Summary This study aims to prepare green nanocomposite (HPMC/5‐FL@GO) from the most biocompatible materials, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and graphene oxide (GO), to enhance the drug activity of immobilized 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) with decreasing the side effect of long‐run treatment protocols with highly efficient drug–drug activity.