Publication

Abstract : Skin cancer represents one of the most common cancers worldwide. Current treatment involves conventional surgery and oral or intravenous administration of immunotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic drugs, which is associated with systemic side effects. To minimize the side effects, we developed a α-chitin polysaccharide-based hydrogel containing anticancer drug plumbagin (0.3%). Plumbagin loaded α-chitin hydrogel (PCHG) were characterized chemically and physically. The in vitro release of plumbagin from the PCHG showed a slow and sustained release of 33.8% in 6 days. In vitro porcine skin permeation assays demonstrated skin permeation of plumbagin from PCHG was 35.05 ± 0.73% after 48 h. The skin permeation of plumbagin from PCHG was further enhanced to 49.86 ± 9.32% when permeation enhancers 1% tween 80 and 1% polyethylene glycol was added into the PCHG. The in vitro anticancer activity of PCHG containing 1% tween 80 and 1% polyethylene glycol was further validated against melanoma A375 cell line.