Pectin/Alginate bio-nanocomposite hydrogel beads based on in-situ formed layered double hydroxide in the presence of Mentha extract: Antibacterial carrier for potential pH-responsive targeted anti-cancer drug delivery

This research presents the creation of novel pH-responsive drug delivery carriers with potential applications in cancer treatment. The study involved the Mentha Extract (ME) for the in-situ synthesis of Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) bio nanoparticles (LDH-ME NPs). These NPs were incorporated into a biopolymeric hybrid formulation containing Pectin and Alginate to produce bio-nanocomposite hydrogel beads. The morphology and chemical composition were assessed and confirmed through various techniques. Doxorubicin (DOX) was employed as a representative anti-cancer medication to investigate the controlled drug release properties of the newly developed hydrogel beads (loading capacity: ∼92 %). In vitro experiments revealed that the drug release pattern was significantly regulated in response to pH levels (with a higher drug release rate at pH 7.4, about 89 %). The assessment for antibacterial properties validated the effective antibacterial performance of the hydrogel beads toward S. aureus and E. coli with inhibition zones about 20 mm and 14 mm, respectively. MTT assay indicated a high level of cytocompatibility with HT-29 cells (cell viability exceeding 95 %) for the blank bio-nanocomposite hydrogel beads. Conversely, bio-nanocomposite hydrogel beads loaded with DOX exhibited notable cytotoxicity (∼13 % cell viability in 15.6 µg/mL) against HT-29 cells. These findings recommend the current bio-nanocomposite as a promising bio-platform with superior antibacterial and anti-cancer properties.