Folic Acid‐Conjugated Chitosan‐Coated Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Precision Targeting of Artemisia vulgaris Essential Oils for Anticancer Therapy

Abstract

In this study, we developed Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN‐NPs) loaded with Artemisia vulgaris essential oil and coated with folic acid‐chitosan (AVEO‐SCF‐NPs) to enhance drug delivery in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. AVEO‐SCF‐NPs were synthesized using homogenization and ultra‐sonication methods and comprehensively characterized. These nanoparticles exhibited a particle size of 253.67 nm, Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 0.26, zeta potential (ζ‐p) of +39.96 mV, encapsulation efficiency (%EE) of 99.0 %, and folic acid binding efficiency (% FB) of 46.25 %. They effectively inhibited MCF‐7, HT‐29, and PC‐3 cancer cells with IC50 values of 48.87 μg/mL, 88.48 μg/mL, and 121.34 μg/mL, respectively, and demonstrated antibacterial properties against Gram‐positive strains. AVEO‐SCF‐NPs also exhibited scavenging effects on ABTS (IC50: 203.83 μg/mL) and DPPH (IC50: 680.86 μg/mL) free radicals and inhibited angiogenesis, as confirmed through CAM and qPCR assays. Furthermore, these nanoparticles induced apoptosis, evidenced by up‐regulation of caspase 3 and 9, down‐regulation of TNF‐α genes, and an increase in SubG1 phase cells. The high loading capacity of SCF‐NPs for AVEO, coupled with their multifaceted biological properties, highlights AVEO‐SCF‐NPs as promising candidates for cancer therapy in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.