Tabari Biomedical Student Research Journal

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Mirhashem M, Sartipnia N, Taheri S. Garlic Extract–Loaded Caffeic Acid–Grafted Chitosan Nanoparticles: Enhanced Anticancer and Antimicrobial Efficacy. Tabari Biomed Stu Res J 2025; 7 (3) :1-9
URL: http://tbsrj.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-3889-en.html

Methods: Garlic extract was encapsulated into caffeic acid–grafted ChNPs and characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and in vitro release assays. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assays on HT29 colon cancer cells (3.125–100 µg/mL, 24 h) and blank chitosan nanoparticles (12.5–200 µg/mL) on HEK293 normal cells. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the microbroth dilution method.

Results: ChNPs had an average size of 230.9 ± 6.1 nm with spherical morphology. Encapsulation significantly slowed garlic compound release (58% over 72 h vs. rapid release from free extract). Garlic-loaded ChNPs reduced HT29 cell viability to ~16% at 100 µg/mL (p < 0.001), showing dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Blank ChNPs exhibited low toxicity in normal cells. The nanoformulation also enhanced antimicrobial efficacy, reducing MICs and MBCs up to eight-fold, especially against K. pneumoniae (MIC: 15.62 µg/mL; MBC: 31.25 µg/mL).

Conclusions: Garlic-loaded caffeic acid–grafted ChNPs significantly improve anticancer and antimicrobial activity while maintaining biocompatibility, suggesting their potential for use in cancer therapy and infection control.