Chitosan–starch nanocomposite particles as a drug carrier for the delivery of bis-desmethoxy curcumin analog

The conventional drug delivery system has serious limitations such as lack of target specificity, altered effects and diminished potency. These limitations can be overcome by using biocompatible polymer as an effective drug delivery system. In this study, bis-demethoxy curcumin analog loaded Chitosan–starch (BDMCA–CS) nanocomposite particles were developed using different ratios of Chitosan and starch (3:1, 1:1 & 1:3) by ionic gelation method. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading capacity were found to be high for the formulation with the ratio 3:1 of BDMCA:CS. Physical characterization of the nanocomposite particles was determined using DLS and FTIR. The morphology of the BDMCA–CS nanocomposite particles were found to be spherical and regular by SEM analysis. In-vitro drug release profile of the BDMCA–CS nanocomposite particles showed a very slow and sustained diffusion controlled release of the drug. The cancer cells targeting ability of the BDMCA–CS nanocomposite particles were confirmed by performing MTT assay on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and VERO cell lines.