Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Analysis of a Chitosan/Gamma Alumina/Graphene Quantum Dots/Bio-Hydrogel for Quercetin Delivery to Lung Cancer Cells

At present, cancer is the primary reason for mortality on a global scale. Therefore, nanomedicine has the capability to enhance the well-being of cancer patients, enhance penetration into cancerous tissues, and decrease the adverse effects of chemotherapy. In this investigation, hydrogel nanocarriers composed of chitosan (CS), alumina (γ-Al₂O₃), and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were synthesized using double nanoemulsion techniques for the release of quercetin (QUE). The hydrogel nanocarriers, comprising of CS/γAl₂O₃/GQDs/QUE, were designed to achieve an encapsulation efficiency of 87%. Their stability was confirmed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), which indicated that the nanocarriers had a size of 453.23 nm and a zeta potential of 11.06 mV. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) confirmed that the nanocarriers are well-dispersed. In addition, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) verified the presence of CS, γAl₂O₃, GQDs, and QUE in the nanocarriers. Various models have been explored to analyze drug release kinetics and elucidate its mechanism. A 96-h investigation of the QUE release profile showed that the developed hydrogel nanocarriers displayed controlled, consistent, and pH-dependent sustained release behavior of QUE. A study was carried out on lung cancer cells to evaluate their toxicity, showing that the drug's interaction with nanocarriers caused a slow release leading to cell death. According to these results, the CS/γAl₂O₃/GQDs/QUE combination shows potential as an innovative nanosystem for targeting cancerous tissue. This study analyzes important and successful ideas in developing pharmaceutical nanosystems, such as particle size, surface charge, loading, encapsulation, and drug release kinetics, in comparison to results from similar research. Thus, this piece of work can serve as a review article, providing important data that can be compared with other findings.

• The hydrogel nanocarriers were synthesized using a combination of chitosan (CS), alumina (γ-Al2O3), and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), enhancing their potential for targeted drug delivery.

• The formulation achieved an impressive encapsulation efficiency of 87% for quercetin (QUE), indicating effective loading of the therapeutic agent within the nanocarriers.

• Dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirmed the stability of the nanocarriers, with a size of 453.23 nm and a zeta potential of 11.06 mV, while field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) demonstrated their well-dispersed nature.

• The release profile of QUE over 96 h exhibited controlled, consistent, and pH-dependent sustained release behavior, which is crucial for effective cancer treatment.

• The gradual release of QUE from the nanocarriers resulted in significant cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cells, highlighting the potential of the CS/γAl2O3/GQDs/QUE formulation as a promising novel nanosystem for targeting tumor tissues.