Nanoparticle-based therapeutic platforms: Development and evaluation for cancer treatment

Polymeric nanoparticles are widely explored for drug delivery, though challenges remain in drug loading, entrapment, and release. In this study, starch nanoparticles were prepared from unripe banana fruit, which contains amylose (26–28%) and amylopectin (72–74%). Amylose promotes immediate release, while amylopectin supports sustained release, making banana starch a promising drug carrier. Quercetin-loaded starch nanoparticles were synthesized via nanoprecipitation. They showed 51.9% drug loading, particle sizes of 66.67–113.33 nm (SEM), and cumulative release of 44.84% in 1 h and 96.96% in 12 h. Antioxidant activity reached 98% inhibition in the DPPH assay. Cancer cell inhibition was dose-dependent, with nanoparticles showing stronger effects (3.11–83.48%) compared to isolated quercetin (2.11–72.45%). Histopathological studies confirmed wound healing within 21 days and suppression of inflammatory responses. These findings highlight banana starch nanoparticles as an effective carrier for quercetin with dual-release and therapeutic potential.

Dr. Dharmendra Kumar is an Associate Professor at Faculty of Pharmacy, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, India. Dr. Kumar has published over 15 Patents, 12 books and more than 25 research papers in prestigious journals indexed by SCI and Scopus. He is actively involved with various publishing houses worldwide as an editor, author, and reviewer.