Hybrid nanocarriers based on polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and molybdenum disulfide for enhanced 5-fluorouracil delivery in lung cancer therapy

An innovative hydrogel nanocomposite, synthesized from a hybrid of PAA, PVP, and MoS2, represents a pioneering solution for pH-responsive drug delivery. This nanocomposite is specifically tailored for the controlled release of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), an anti-cancer agent. The infusion of MoS2 into the PAA-modified PVP hydrogel imparts a distinct feature, further enriched by the incorporation of Span 80 surfactant, culminating in the creation of stable niosomal microemulsions that enhance the retention of 5-FU. The incorporation of paraffin oil helps reduce the size of the microemulsions while maintaining their quasi-spherical shape. To characterize the microemulsions in this study, we employed FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods for our analysis. Additionally, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis confirmed the presence of nanoparticles within the nanocarriers, with an average dimension of nearly 315 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.27. These entities exhibit a spherical morphology, as revealed by SEM imaging. Zeta potential measurements highlight a negative surface charge of approximately -33.5 mV. Remarkably, we achieved significant drug loading and entrapment efficiencies, reaching 46 % and 87.25 %, respectively, surpassing those reported for other nanocarriers in previous studies. Cellular experiments conducted on A549 and L929 cell lines showcased the enhanced anticancer activity of 5-FU-loaded nanoparticles and assessed potential side effects.The results underscore the promising potential of the nanocarrier as a favorable strategy for delivering drugs in cancer treatment.