Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine
Volume 3, Issue 4 , Pages 258-265, December 2007

Self-assembled nanoparticles based on hydrophobically modified chitosan as carriers for doxorubicin

College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China

Received 31 March 2007; accepted 30 August 2007. published online 25 October 2007.

Abstract 

In this study self-assembled nanoparticles based on oleoyl-chitosan (OCH) were prepared with a mean diameter of 255.3 nm and an almost spherical shape. The toxicity profile of OCH nanoparticles was evaluated in vitro via hemolysis test and MTT assay. The hemolysis rates of OCH nanoparticles tested in different conditions came well within permissible limits (5%). The OCH nanoparticles showed no cytotoxicity to mouse embryo fibroblasts. Doxorubicin (DOX) was efficiently loaded into OCH nanoparticles with an encapsulation efficiency of 52.6%. The drug was rapidly and completely released from the nanoparticles (DOX-OCH nanoparticles) at pH 3.8, whereas at pH 7.4 there was a sustained release after a burst release. The inhibitory rates of DOX-OCH nanoparticle suspension to different human cancer cells (A549, Bel-7402, HeLa, and SGC-7901) significantly outperformed that of DOX solution. These results revealed the potential of OCH nanoparticles as carriers for hydrophobic antitumor agents.

Key words: Oleoyl-chitosan (OCH), Nanoparticles, Doxorubicin, Drug release, Inhibitory rate

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 No conflict of interest was reported by the authors of this article.

PII: S1549-9634(07)00118-9

doi:10.1016/j.nano.2007.08.002

Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine
Volume 3, Issue 4 , Pages 258-265, December 2007