Niosomes and <scp>ZnO</scp> @ <scp>HNT</scp> Nanoparticles Embedded in Agarose–Chitosan Composite Films for Cancer Treatment

ABSTRACT Developing improved drug‐delivery methods is crucial for increasing treatment effectiveness while limiting adverse impacts. This study presents an innovative multifunctional drug‐delivery platform utilizing an agarose/chitosan (AG/CS) biopolymer film that concurrently incorporates ZnO‐decorated halloysite nanotubes (ZnO@HNT) and capecitabine‐loaded niosomes (Nio), a hybrid combination not previously documented in polymer‐based delivery systems. Controlled precipitation was used to make ZnO@HNT nanostructures, which were then evenly mixed into the AG/CS matrix. Nio, on the other hand, had a high encapsulation effectiveness of 91% and made the medication more stable. Comprehensive characterization (FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, and water contact angle) demonstrated effective composite production, increased thermal stability, and optimized surface characteristics permitting controlled diffusion. Drug‐release studies demonstrated a far better sustained‐release profile, with the AG/CS/ZnO@HNT/Nio film attaining 94% cumulative release, which was better than the AG/Nio and AG/CS/Nio formulations. Antibacterial testing indicated that the drug worked against a wide range of bacteria, with inhibition zones of 28.67 mm for Staphylococcus aureus , 40.33 mm for Escherichia coli , and 37.67 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa . MTT experiments showed significant cytotoxicity toward SiHa, THP‐1, and HuH7 cancer cells, hence demonstrating apoptotic cell death. The synergistic combination of ZnO@HNT and Nio inside an AG/CS matrix creates a novel therapeutic platform with enhanced antibacterial, sustained release, and anticancer characteristics, indicating significant promise for accelerated capecitabine administration in cancer treatment.