Dual-Action Gemcitabine Delivery: Chitosan-Magnetite-Zeolite Capsules for Targeted Cancer Therapy and Antibacterial Defense

Abstract

Cancer and infectious diseases are two of the world's major public health problems. Gemcitabine (GEM) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent against several types of cancer. In this study, we developed macrocapsules incorporating GEM into a chitosan matrix blended with magnetite and zeolite by ionic gelation. Physicochemical characterization was performed using HRTEM-ED, XRD, FESEM-EDS, FT-IR, TGA, encapsulation efficiency (%E.E.), and release profiles at pHs 7.4 and 5.0. Cell viability tests against A549 and H1299 cell lines, and microbiological properties against staphylococcal strains were performed. Our results revealed the successful production of hemispherical capsules with an average diameter of 1.22 mm, a rough surface, and characteristic FT-IR material interaction bands. The macrocapsules showed a high GEM encapsulation efficiency of over 86% and controlled release over 24 h. Cell viability assays revealed that similar cytotoxic effects to free GEM were achieved with a 45-fold lower GEM concentration, suggesting reduced dosing requirements and potentially fewer side effects. Additionally, the macrocapsules demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity, reducing Staphylococcus epidermidis growth by over 90%. These results highlight the macrocapsules dual role as a chemotherapeutic and antimicrobial agent, offering a promising strategy for treating lung cancer in patients at risk of infectious diseases or who are immunosuppressed.

Keywords: chitosan; drug carriers; gemcitabine; ionic gelation; magnetic nanoparticles; zeolite clinoptilolite.

Figure 1

(A) FESEM micrograph with 20,000× magnification, (B) EDS and elemental composition, (C) TEM micrograph, and (D) diffraction pattern of zeolite clinoptilolite.

Figure 2

(A) XRD planes; (B) FT-IR of zeolite clinoptilolite.

Figure 3

(A) FESEM micrograph with 160,000× magnification, (B) EDS and elemental composition, (C) TEM micrograph, and (D) diffraction pattern of magnetite.

Figure 4

(A) XRD planes; (B) FT-IR of magnetite.

Figure 5

(A) Chitosan macrocapsules with clinoptilolite zeolite; (B) TEM micrograph of clinoptilolite within chitosan macrocapsules; (C) HRTEM micrograph of zeolite; (D) chitosan macrocapsules with magnetite; (E) TEM micrograph of magnetite within chitosan macrocapsules, and (F) HRTEM micrograph of magnetite.

Figure 6

FESEM micrographs; (A) macrocapsules, group 2, with 50× magnification; (B) microcapsule, group 7, with 140× magnification; (C) microcapsule, group 13, with 140× magnification, and (D) split microcapsule, group 10, with 240× magnification.

Figure 7

FT-IR spectrum macrocapsules, group 14.

Figure 8

Release profile of free and encapsulated GEM under physiological temperature conditions (37 °C): (A) in PBS at pH 7.4 and (B) in acetate buffer at pH 5.

Figure 9

(A) Cell viability in A549 and (B) in H1299 cell lines.