Replication data for "Gelatin/polyethylene glycol/g-C3N4 hydrogel with olive oil as a sustainable and biocompatible nanovehicle for targeted delivery of 5-fluorouracil"

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is an anticancer drug with poor water solubility and stability, leading to short plasma half-time and undesired toxic effects on normal tissues. Therefore, novel drug delivery systems (DDS) are required to improve its therapeutic efficiency. The use of nanoparticles in DDS has emerged as a promising method for controlling the release of chemotherapy drugs. In this study, a novel, sustainable and pH-sensitive nanocomposite was designed for the targeted delivery of 5-FU against breast cancer cells. The nanodelivery system based on biocompatible and biodegradable graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) coated with Gelatin (G)/Polyethylene glycol (PEG) biopolymers was prepared by W/O/W double emulsion technique using olive oil and span 80 surfactant. Successful loading of 5-FU into the nanovehicle was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. Dynamic light scattering corroborated the monodispersity of the nanocarriers, with a typical size between 250 and 300 nm. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the homogeneity of the nanocomposite and its spherical shape, which was appropriate for DDS. The average zeta potential was + 35.4 mV, demonstrating the good stability of the nanocomposite. The drug loading (47 %) and encapsulation efficiency (89 %) were higher than those reported for other 5-FU nanocarriers. A continuous and controlled 5-FU release from the nanovehicle was observed, and the release rate at pH 5.4 (simulating a cancerous environment) was higher than at pH 7.4 (physiological conditions). Kinetic studies suggested a diffusion controlled mechanism of 5-FU release from the nanocarrier in an acidic environment, while an anomalous transport prevails at neutral pH. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed that G/PEG/g-C3N4 had a significant cytotoxicity on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Flow cytometry indicated that G/PEG/g-C3N4/5-FU led to much higher apoptotic percentage than free 5-FU, while the free drug showed higher percentage of necroptotic cells. This novel bio-nanocomposite shows great potential as a pH-sensitive DDS against breast cancer cells.