MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OFCHITOSAN-ACACIA GUM NANOPARTICLES LOADED AND UNLOADED WITH CISPLATIN

Kunle Joseph Akinluwade*, Grace Modupe Oyatogun, Gbenga Alebiowu and Abimbola Patricia Popoola

ABSTRACT

In this study, chitosan-based and cisplatin-laden nanoparticles formed from cowry shells and acacia gum were synthesized with an investigation of the morphology and dimension of the nanoparticles. Chitosan and gum arabic were extracted from cowry shells and Acacia trees respectively to prepare nanoparticles using standard chemical methods. Observation with a Jeol JSM 7600F Field Emission Gun Ultra-High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope confirmed the formation of particles composed of distinct spheres, ovals, and short cylinders. The study further investigated the morphology of the nanoparticles before and after loading with cisplatin, a multipurpose anti-cancer drug. Quantitative morphological description of nanoparticles was done using shape factors such as aspect ratio, roundness, irregularity and equivalent circle diameter (ECD), which were obtained from Media cybernetics software analysis while qualitative description was done on the basis of visual observation of acquired SEM photomicrographs. Results showed that the respective values of aspect ratio (0.67 and 0.68), roundness (0.91 and 0.95), irregularity (2.69 and 2.80) and ECD (0.67 and 0.80) obtained for cisplatin-unloaded and cisplatin-loaded nanoparticles are strikingly comparable providing evidence that drug encapsulation did not impair the morphological attributes of the nanoparticles significantly. The developed nanomaterials are thus considered suitable as nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery applications.

Keywords: Cowry shells, cisplatin, Acacia gum, nanoparticles, shape factors, Media cybernetics.