Synthesis of Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate/Acrylic Acid Nanoparticles as Nanocarriers for the Controlled Delivery of Doxorubicin to Colorectal Cancer Cells

Doxorubicin (Dox) is known for its potential to deliver desirable anticancer effects against various types of cancer including colorectal cancer. However, the adverse effects are serious. This study aimed to synthesize polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)/acrylic acid (AA)-based nanoparticles (PEGDA/AA NPs) for Dox delivery to colorectal cancer cells. The NPs were synthesized using free-radical polymerization reaction using the monomers PEGDA and AA with their physical properties, drug loading and release, biocompatibility, and anticancer effect evaluated. The NPs were spherical with a size of around 230 nm, with a 48% Dox loading efficiency and with loading capacity of 150 µg/mg. Intriguingly, the NPs had the ability to prolong the release of Dox in vitro over 24 h and were non-toxic to intestinal epithelial cells. Dox-loaded PEGDA/AA NPs (Dox-NPs) were able to effectively kill the colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29) with the Dox-NPs accumulating inside the cell and killing the cell through the apoptosis pathway. Overall, the synthesized PEGDA/AA NPs exhibit considerable potential as a drug delivery carrier for colon cancer-directed, staged-release therapy.