Synthesis of sodium alginate nanoparticles containing Agkistrodon halys snake venom and evaluation of biological activity and survival of colon cancer cells (SW-480)

Alginate nanoparticles have been used in novel drug delivery systems due to marvelous features including biocompatibility, biodegradable, mucoadhesive, and non-toxic. At present various types of adjuvants are used against snake venom, as a solution, suspension, or emulsion systems, which are used in different centers. The purpose of this study is to design a novel type of antigen delivery system as an adjuvant from alginate nanoparticles.

Alginate nanoparticles were prepared based on the ionic gelation process. The nanoparticles' particle size, morphology, zeta potential, in vitro release behavior, and structure of nanoparticles contained venom were analyzed by SEM, DLS, and FT-IR spectroscopy. Cell viability of SW-480 cells was measured using an MTT assay.

The particles were spherical. The optimum particles size of alginate and venom-loaded nanoparticles were 118 and 169 nm, respectively. Viability significantly decreased in cells exposed to upper 20 µg/ml o (P<0.05).

Our results suggested that alginate nanoparticles, which were prepared in our study possibly, could be used as an alternative for traditional adjuvant systems.