Biocompatible graphene oxide/carboxymethylated chitosan nanocomposite hydrogel for controlled release of polyphenolic antioxidants

Cancer poses a significant global healthcare challenge, necessitating continuous research and treatment advancements. Traditional chemotherapy approaches face limitations such as low drug stability, imprecise targeting of cancer cells, and adverse side effects. In this regard, hydrogels have presented a suitable solution for the abovementioned drawbacks by offering an efficient biocompatible drug delivery system. In this work, a biocompatible drug delivery approach was developed by utilizing a graphene oxide/carboxymethylated chitosan (GO/CMCh) nanocomposite hydrogel. By loading quercetin (QR) and gallic acid (GA) onto the GO/CMCh, the stability and therapeutic potential of these drugs were significantly enhanced. The high entrapment efficiencies of 98% and 99.3% were achieved for QR and GA, respectively. Furthermore, the GO/CMCh nanocomposite exhibited a remarkable loading capacity, reaching 200% for QR and 250% for GA. This innovative approach not only enhanced the stability of the loaded drugs but also enabled their targeted delivery, with a specific focus on hepatocellular carcinoma therapy under physiological pH conditions. The sustained release of drugs from the GO/CMCh nanocomposites provided a prolonged and controlled therapeutic effect. Notably, the developed nanocomposites demonstrated low hemolysis ratios (below 1%), ensuring their safety for potential clinical applications. These findings provide a strong rationale for further investigation into the in vivo applications of GA@GO/CMCh in the field of cancer treatment and drug delivery systems.