Taguchi method optimization for synthesis of Fe3O4 @chitosan/Tragacanth Gum nanocomposite as a drug delivery system

Carbohydr Polym. 2019 Oct 15:222:114982. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.114982. Epub 2019 Jun 7.

Abstract

Polysaccharides as natural hydrogels provide a promising strategy to prepare stimuli responsive drug carriers in pharmaceutical industries. In this work, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized with (3-amino propyl) triethoxy silane (APTES) and coated by Chitosan (CS) and Tragacanth Gum (TG) to encapsulate curcumin. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized using FT-IR, FE-SEM, EDX and XRD analysis. Taguchi Method (L9) with 3 levels and 4 variables was used to optimize the effect of concentration of Fe3O4@APTES, TG: CS ratio, nanocomposite weight, and curcumin weight on the drug loading. The release behaviour of curcumin was further studied in two different pH 7.4 and 3.4 and at temperatures 37 °C and 40 °C. The nanocomposite showed a higher swelling ratio at pH 3.4 and temperature 40 °C with good pH and thermosensitive in vitro drug release profiles. The results indicate that the nanocomposite has a good potential for delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Keywords: Chitosan; Curcumin; Magnetic nanoparticles; Taguchi method; Tragacanth Gum.

MeSH terms

  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • Curcumin / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Liberation
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Silanes / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • Tragacanth / chemistry

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Hydrogels
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Silanes
  • triethoxysilane
  • Tragacanth
  • Chitosan
  • Curcumin