Synthesis, characterization and in vitro release kinetics of methotrexate from oxidized fenugreek gum/chitosan-catechin bionanocomposite hydrogel matrix

Functionalized polysaccharide-based nanocomposite hydrogels have been utilized as drug delivery devices to achieve controlled release of drug moieties during the treatment of cancer. To achieve optimum drug release behaviour, drug carrier should have tunable swelling profile, biodegradability, non-toxic nature, flexibility like soft tissues, and biocompatibility. In present study, catechin-embedded oxidized fenugreek gum/chitosan bio nanocomposite matrix had been synthesized. For synthesis of catechin embedded hydrogel, catechin (~ 2.30%) was extracted from Acacia catechu heartwood and confirmed by LC-MS/HPLC along with other phyto-chemicals.structural modifications achieved in synthesized gel matrix had been analyzed using FESEM, FTIR, XRD, TEM and TGA analysis. Antioxidant property of gel matrix viz.: OFG-cl-CH (OFC), catechin, and OFG-cl-CH/catechin bio nanocomposite (OFCC) matrix was examined by DPPH assay. In vitro drug release behaviour of methotrexate (MTX) an anticancer drug was evaluated from functionalized gels. Incorporation of catechin onto oxidized fenugreek gum-chitosan hydrogel (OFC) via Schiff base cross-linking achieved 53.23% encapsulation, improved crystallinity, stability, and morphology. OFCC hydrogel had depicted pH-sensitive swelling profile (max 115.20% at pH 2.2) and sustained MTX release in acidic media (75.19% in Simulated Gastrc fluid (SGF)upto 24 h) following Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics. All hydrogels (FG, OFG, OFC, OFCC) showed excellent biocompatibility, with non-thrombogenic behaviour, low clot weights, and hemolysis indices < 5%, confirming their safety for biomedical use. Catechin exhibited strong antioxidant activity (77%), which was enhanced upon incorporation into the Schiff base matrix, with a slight dose-dependent improvement. Biodegradability tests revealed that oxidation, cross-linking, and catechin incorporation progressively reduced degradation, with OFCC showing maximum stability. Overall, OFCC hydrogel improves catechin stability, enhances matrix crystallinity, thermal and morphological properties, thus emerged as a biocompatible, antioxidant, and durable hydrogel with strong potential for sustained release, making it a promising system for pH-responsive anticancer drug delivery in gastric conditions.