Sunitinib malate-loaded carboxymethyl cellulose-poly(vinyl alcohol)-ZnO nanocomposite beads as anticancer drug delivery system

In recent years, nanocomposite beads have been widely used in the biomedical field, especially in controlled drug release systems. Using trivalent iron ions to crosslink polymers and combining this system with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) is a innovative method. In the thesis study, bio nanocomposite beads of carboxymethyl cellulose/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CMC/PVA) containing ZnO nanoparticles were designed using a completely green and environmentally friendly method and tools to realize the controlled release of the anticancer drug sunitinib malate (SM). The obtained nanocomposite beads were characterized by FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRD, DSC, and TGA. Also, the effects of polymer ratio, % drug amount, FeCl3 concentration, and % ZnO amount on the entrapment efficiency, bead yield, and sunitinib malate release from beads were examined. Additionally, the % equilibrium swelling values of empty nanocomposite beads were found as a function of pH in pH 1.2 and 7.4 environments. The presence of ZnO nanoparticles in the produced beads was confirmed by methods such as XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX, DSC, and TGA. It was observed that the prepared nanocomposite beads showed very pH-sensitive swelling behavior and these results supported SM release from nanocomposite beads. It was observed that SM release at pH 1.2 from ZnO-containing CMC/PVA nanocomposite beads occurred in two stages, with a rapid initial release followed by sustained and controlled release. On the other hand, it was observed that SM release increased in a controlled and continuous manner for 24 hours in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. Incorporating ZnO nanoparticles into the bead polymer structure increased SM release. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the prepared nanocomposite beads may be a promising drug carrier system candidate for the release of SM, which is used as a chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of various cancers.