Synthesis and characterization of chitosan-stabilized lycopene nanoparticles for prostate cancer therapy: Integrating sonography for enhanced imaging and treatment monitoring

Lycopene, a potent antioxidant derived from tomatoes, has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential in prostate cancer treatment. However, its poor solubility, instability, and low bioavailability hinder its clinical applications. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of chitosan-stabilized lycopene nanoparticles (CS-LNPs) for enhanced drug delivery and controlled release in prostate cancer therapy.Additionally, sonography, an advanced imaging technique that utilizes X-ray phase-contrast technology, is explored as a complementary diagnostic tool to monitor nanoparticle-based therapy effectiveness. Sonography was used  for the visualization of lycopene nanoparticle distribution and accumulation within prostate tumors, providing critical insights into treatment efficacy. Encapsulation of both extracted and standard lycopene was achieved using chitosan as a stabilizing agent, with cholesterol incorporated to enhance nanoparticle stability.  Characterization techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, were employed to evaluate the structural, morphological, and textural properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. FTIR analysis confirmed successful encapsulation, with key functional groups indicating strong interactions between lycopene, chitosan, and cholesterol. TEM and SEM imaging revealed spherical, uniformly distributed nanoparticles with a porous structure, ensuring efficient drug loading and sustained release. BET surface analysis demonstrated high surface area and significant micropore volume, optimizing the adsorption and controlled release profile of lycopene.  A comparative analysis of extracted and standard lycopene CS-LNPs revealed that both formulations exhibited high encapsulation efficiency, with extracted lycopene CS-LNPs showing a slightly higher surface area and more controlled release properties, whereas standard lycopene CS-LNPs demonstrated faster drug diffusion due to larger pore sizes. The encapsulated nanoparticles significantly improved lycopene's solubility, bioavailability, and stability, making them ideal candidates for targeted drug delivery in prostate cancer therapy. By incorporating sonography as a non-invasive monitoring tool, this study bridges the gap between imaging and nanoparticle-based drug delivery, enhancing the assessment of therapeutic outcomes.The chitosan-stabilized lycopene nanoparticles developed in this study offer a promising nanocarrier system for enhanced prostate cancer treatment by improving drug stability, bioavailability, and controlled release kinetics.