Multifunctional biomedical potential of green-synthesized boswellia serrata chitosan nanoparticles: In vitro anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and sustained drug release investigations

The increasing global burden of cancer and metabolic disorders demands innovative, biocompatible and multifunctional therapeutic strategies. Conventional chemotherapy is limited by systemic toxicity, non-selectivity and drug resistance, necessitating the development of plant-derived nanocarrier systems. This study was undertaken to fabricate Boswellia serrata-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (BS-CNPs) through an eco-friendly, aqueous green synthesis route and to comprehensively evaluate their physicochemical properties and multifunctional biological activities. BS-CNPs were characterised by UV-Vis spectroscopy (absorption at 240–250 nm), FTIR spectrum confirming the characteristic O-H (3420 cm⁻¹), C-H (2924 cm⁻¹), C-N (1588 and 1354 cm⁻¹), and C-O-C (1142 cm⁻¹) functional groups, with an additional C-O band at 1058 cm⁻¹ . XRD analysis revealed characteristic reflections at approximately 11.2° and 20.1°, confirming the hydrated crystalline and semi-crystalline nature of chitosan nanoparticles. DLS analysis confirmed a hydrodynamic diameter of 182.4 ± 14.6 nm, a PDI of 0.24 ± 0.02 and a zeta potential of + 28.4 ± 1.8 mV, indicating excellent colloidal stability. Cytotoxicity against AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cells yielded an IC₅₀ of 40 ± 0.7 μg/mL, with AO/EtBr staining confirming apoptosis as the primary mode of cell death. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide (NOx) radical scavenging assays, revealing potent free radical quenching capacity attributable to encapsulated Boswellic acid constituents. Anti-inflammatory activity as measured by BSA heat denaturation was near-equivalent to diclofenac sodium at 75 μg/mL. Alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition at 50 μg/mL demonstrated significant antidiabetic potential. A biphasic in vitro drug release profile was observed, with near-complete release within 24 h at both pH 5.5 and pH 7.4. Collectively, BS-CNPs represent a green, cost-effective and multifunctional nanoplatform with strong translational potential for gastric oncology and metabolic disease management.