Preparation, characterization, and in vitro bioactivity of Bixa orellana extract-impregnated collagen microspheres

Collagen microspheres usually have particle size lesser than 200 µm, which are characteristically free-flowing powders of protein. They can overcome some of the conventional therapy problems and enhance therapeutic efficacy due to their biocompatible and biodegradable nature. Collagen microspheres were prepared using the fish Lates calcarifer scale collagen and were loaded with Bixa orellana plant extract. The Bixa orellana plant extract-loaded collagen microsphere was characterized for its physico-chemical properties using Fourier-transform infrared, Raman spectra, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and particle size analysis, and in vitro plant extract release. This plant extract showed good antimicrobial property against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The in vitro anticancer activity of the prepared material was carried out using MCF-7 cell lines which showed 83.46 % of cell death at 1000 µg/well. Anticancer effect of the prepared material can be enhanced by increasing the concentration of plant extract in the composite.