Microgels of Hydrophobically
Modified-Ethyl Hydroxy Ethyl Cellulose (HM-EHEC) with 5-Flurouracil for Drug Delivery
Applications
Wali Ashwini and Badiger Manohar
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(10); 212-218;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2010rjbt2120218; (2025)
Abstract
The polysaccharides (e.g. celluloses and proteins) which form the basic building
blocks of life, are gaining increased interest in recent times for researchers to
develop newer health care products from renewable bio-polymers which are cheaper
and easily available with different desirable properties. Gels are highly swollen
three dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers cross-linked by physical or chemical
interactions. Our focus was to design and develop a novel microgel system which
would effectively deliver the anti-cancer drug to the targeted site by slow and
sustained release for longer times. The water soluble hydrophobically modified ethyl
hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HM-EHEC) biopolymer was used in the synthesis of microgels
by Michael-type addition reaction between the primary hydroxyl groups of HM-EHEC
and Divinyl sulphone (DVS) crosslinker using water-in-oil emulsion technique. The
microgels obtained were spherical in shape having flower type morphology with average
size of 5 to 8 μm. The anti-cancer drug 5-Flurouracil (5-FU) drug was successfully
incorporated and around 56% of the 5-FU was released in 72 hours with a loading
efficiency of 95%.
The cell viability (MTT assay) studies confirmed the cycto-toxicity on the MDA-MB
231 breast cancer cell line. There was an increase in the cell death with increase
in the concentration of microgel containing drug concentration. The HM-EHEC microgels
could be effectively used in the form of a topical cream in the skin and breast
cancer for on-site slow and targeted delivery.
