Title
Preparation and characterization of palladium (II) complex/cellulose nanowhisker as a new potent anticancer prodrug
Authors
BAHAREH MIRMASHHOURI ABBAS DADKHAH TEHRANI MAHBOUBE ESLAMIMOGHADAM and ADELEH DIVSALAR

Received November 17, 2016
Published Volume 52 Issue 1-2 January-February
Keywords cellulose nanowhisker, anticancer drug, palladium complex, bionanocomposite

Abstract
Herein, we describe the development of a new cellulose based nanocomposite with distinctive characteristics, for utilization in different applications, particularly, in the biomedical field, as an anticancer prodrug. In this context, cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) were prepared by acid hydrolysis of cellulose linter and used as a matrix for palladium (II) complex. The structures of the CNW, palladium complex and their new nanocomposite were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. SEM images of freeze-dried cellulose nanocrystals showed fibrillar, network-like morphology, due to the self-assembly of the cellulose nanocrystals. In comparison with the pure CNW, the CNW/Pd complex showed higher thermal stability. Also, the 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) value of the Pd complex loaded nanocrystal was 203 µg/ml after a 24 h incubation time. The results showed that the CNW/Pd complex could be a promising candidate precursor for biomedical applications, such as anticancer drug delivery systems.