Graphene-oxide stabilization in electrolyte solutions using hydroxyethyl cellulose for drug delivery application

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Graphene oxide (GO) has potential in drug delivery but requires stabilization in physiological environments.
• Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) is explored as a stabilizing agent for GO-based nanostructures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To stabilize graphene oxide (GO) using hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) for targeted drug delivery applications.
• To evaluate the stability, drug loading/release, and biocompatibility of the GO-HEC nanohybrid.

Main Methods:

• Stabilization of GO using HEC in physiological solutions.
• Assessment of GO suspension stability via UV-vis spectroscopy, AFM, and zeta potential.
• Study of folic acid (FA) loading and release kinetics from the GO-HEC nanohybrid.
• Cytotoxicity evaluation of the nanohybrid.

Main Results:

• HEC effectively stabilized GO in electrolyte solutions, with stabilization mechanism dependent on HEC content.
• The GO-HEC nanohybrid demonstrated high loading capacity for folic acid.
• HEC content influenced the nanohybrid's applicability for controlled or targeted drug release.
• Cytotoxicity assays confirmed good biocompatibility of the GO-HEC nanohybrid.

Conclusions:

• HEC-stabilized GO nanohybrids are suitable for drug delivery applications.
• The nanohybrid offers high drug loading capacity and controllable release profiles.
• The GO-HEC nanohybrid exhibits good biocompatibility, supporting its potential as a drug carrier.