叶酸靶向载紫杉醇磷脂-聚合物杂化纳米粒的制备及其体外细胞评价

目的 制备具有叶酸靶向性的载紫杉醇磷脂-聚合物杂化纳米粒(PTX-FLPNPs),并研究其对乳腺癌细胞EMT-6的细胞毒性及体外细胞吞噬.方法 以聚己内酯-聚乙二醇-聚己内酯(PCL-PEG-PCL)、二硬脂酰基磷脂酰乙醇胺-甲氧基聚乙二醇(DSPE-mPEG2000)和叶酸偶联的磷脂(Folate-PEG(2000)-DSPE)为药物载体,通过薄膜水化法自组装制备PTX-FLPNPs,并对其进行表征;使用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察比较叶酸受体高表达的乳腺癌细胞EMT-6对叶酸靶向及无靶向杂化纳米粒的吞噬作用;采用MTS法研究PTX-FLPNPs对EMT-6细胞的细胞毒性.结果 成功制备了PTX-FLPNPs,其呈球形,粒径均匀,具有明显的“核-壳”结构.投药量为30％的PTX-FLPNPs的平均粒径为(279.9±8.7)nm,多分散系数为0.173±0.021,Zeta电位为(-17.5±1.1)mV,载药量为(27.36±0.91)％,包封率为(91.16±1.12)％.细胞吞噬实验表明,叶酸受体高表达的EMT-6细胞对叶酸靶向的杂化纳米粒的吞噬作用明显强于无靶向的杂化纳米粒(P＜0.05).细胞毒性实验结果表明,PTX-FLPNPs的细胞毒性低于紫杉醇注射剂,且对肿瘤细胞的抑制效果优于无靶向的杂化纳米粒.结论 PTX-FLPNPs具有较高载药量及包封率,粒径均匀,可通过主动靶向作用介导肿瘤细胞内吞,并增加药物在肿瘤细胞内的浓度,是一种能有效抑制肿瘤的靶向载药纳米制剂.     

基于改性复合多糖的载阿霉素纳米粒子的制备及其靶向肝癌细胞的研究

目的 制备一种具有氧化还原敏感性的载阿霉素(DOX)纳米粒子,并研究其体外释放及靶向肝癌细胞的性能.方法 以1-(3-二甲氨基丙基)-3-乙基碳二亚胺盐酸盐/N-羟基琥珀酰亚胺为催化剂,使透明质酸(HA)侧链接枝胱胺,进一步通过Schiff碱反应偶联β-环糊精(β-CD)制备β-环糊精接枝透明质酸(HACD).然后以HACD为载体材料,采用透析法制备载DOX纳米粒子(HACD/DOX),并对其载药量、包封率、粒径及分布、zeta电位等理化性质及体外释放行为进行表征;采用细胞计数试剂盒(CCK-8)检测HACD/DOX纳米粒子对肝癌细胞HepG2的毒性作用;通过流式细胞术及激光共聚焦显微镜(CLSM)研究HACD/DOX纳米粒子对HepG2细胞的靶向作用.结果 成功制备了HACD,其可携载DOX形成形态均匀的纳米粒子.DOX在纳米粒子中的载药量为(16.1±0.2)％,包封率为(64.2±0.9)％.透射电子显微镜结果显示其为球形结构;粒度分析结果表明,HACD/DOX纳米粒子的平均粒径为(203.1±2.5) nm,多分散系数为0.202,zeta电位为(-29.1±0.8)mV.该纳米粒子的体外释放行为具有明显的氧化还原敏感性.体外毒性结果显示,空白载体材料HACD对肝癌细胞无明显毒性,而HACD/DOX纳米粒子可有效杀伤肝癌细胞,48 h的半数抑制浓度(IC50)值为0.38 μg/ml.流式细胞术和CLSM结果均显示HACD/DOX纳米粒子是通过HA的介导而发挥肝癌靶向作用的.结论 制备的HACD/DOX纳米粒子具有适宜的粒径、高载药量和包封率,能在还原剂刺激下释放药物,且具有明显靶向肝癌细胞的作用,有望成为一种具有良好应用前景的靶向治疗肝癌的药物递送系统.     

左旋多巴和姜黄素共递送protocells纳米粒的制备及体外评价

目的制备共载左旋多巴和姜黄素protocells纳米粒并进行体外评价。方法以介孔二氧化硅为内核,脂质双分子层为外膜,制备共载左旋多巴和姜黄素protocells纳米粒。使用激光粒度分析仪和透射电子显微镜对所制备纳米粒的形貌、粒径、多分散系数(PDI)和Zeta电势进行表征;采用高效液相色谱法对所制备纳米粒的载药量和包封率进行测定;采用透析袋法对所制备纳米粒的体外释放特性进行考察;应用粒径、Zeta电势、载药量等指标对所制备纳米粒的室温贮存稳定性进行评价。结果制备的载左旋多巴和姜黄素protocells纳米粒粒径分布均一性好、粒子表面呈电负性、平均粒径为(210.9±2.8)nm、PDI为(0.201±0.011)。其中左旋多巴的载药量为(20.28±0.43)%、包封率为(10.14±0.22)%;姜黄素的载药量为(1.97±0.01)%、包封率为(98.32±0.01)%。体外释放结果表明该纳米粒48 h姜黄素累计释放率为59.2%,且可有效阻止左旋多巴的泄漏,降低其在循环系统中的暴露量。稳定性结果表明左旋多巴和姜黄素在protocells纳米粒中稳定性良好。结论载左旋多巴和姜黄素的protocells纳米粒制备工艺简单,具有良好的理化性质、稳定性及所预期的释放性能。     

载异烟肼利福平聚乳酸纳米粒的制备及体外释药**

背景：微载体药物因具有靶向性、控释性、稳定性、更好的安全性备受关注。 目的：观察载异烟肼利福平两种抗结核药于同一聚乳酸纳米粒的给药系统及体外释放特性。 方法：采用改良的自乳化二元溶剂扩散法制备载异烟肼和利福平纳米粒,亚微粒径分析仪测定纳米粒粒径及分布,透射电镜观察其形态;高效液相色谱仪建立测定异烟肼、利福平的载药量和包封率;以磷酸盐缓冲液为释放介质,观察载异烟肼和利福平纳米粒的体外释药特性。 结果与结论：载利福平和异烟肼纳米粒表面完整光滑,无明显粘连现象,纳米粒均匀度好。亚微粒径分析仪测定纳米粒平均粒径80.4 nm。异烟肼载药量为(15.95±1.34)%,包封率为(5.01±0.17)%;利福平载药量为(4.66±0.97)%,包封率为(4.05±0.18)%。体外释药结果显示纳米粒的体外释药过程较平稳。突释期纳米粒中异烟肼释放度为15.22%,到3 d累积释放度可达95.6%;利福平释放度为9.26%,到3 d累积释放度可达90.3%。提示采用改良的自乳化二元溶剂扩散法制备载异烟肼和利福平纳米粒,所得载药纳米粒的粒径小且较均匀。纳米粒体外释药过程较平稳,无明显突释现象。关键词：聚乳酸;异烟肼;利福平;纳米粒;体外释药 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.16.014     

聚乳酸/聚乙二醇琥珀酸酯-姜黄素纳米粒的制备及体外评价*

背景：聚乳酸及其共聚物是一类具有良好生物相容性的可降解高分子材料,已被广泛用于可生物降解型药物缓释或靶向给药系统中。 目的：探索载药纳米粒制备条件对包封率和载药量的影响,确定最佳制备工艺条件。 方法：以维生素E1000聚乙二醇琥珀酸酯(TPGS)为乳化剂、姜黄素为模型药物、聚乳酸为载体材料,采用O/W型乳化-溶剂挥发法制备聚乳酸-姜黄素纳米粒,以包封率和载药量为主要指标,单因素实验探索影响两指标的主要因素,再正交试验设计优化制备工艺。 结果与结论：通过正交试验设计制备聚乳酸-姜黄素纳米粒的最佳工艺为：水油相比10∶1,聚合物浓度15 g/L,药物浓度3 g/L,乳化剂TPGS浓度0.03%。以此工艺制备的载药纳米粒外形圆整光滑,粒度分布较为均匀,平均粒径为167.5 nm,包封率为89.52%,载药量为13.72%,纳米粒前期突释不明显具有良好的缓释作用。该工艺稳定、简单可行,优化制备工艺得到的聚乳酸-姜黄素纳米粒粒径适中、包封率和载药量较高。     

胆固醇基修饰的普鲁兰纳米粒的摄取机制及亚细胞分布研究

目的 研究胆固醇基修饰的普鲁兰（CHSP）纳米粒的体外HepG2细胞的摄取机制及亚细胞分布.方法 采用异硫氰酸荧光素（FTTC）标记CHSP,透析法制备FITC标记的CHSP（FITC-CHSP）自组装纳米粒并进行表征.采用MTT法考察CHSP纳米粒对HepG2细胞的毒性.选用选择性的内吞途径抑制剂氯丙嗪、菲律宾菌素和阿米洛利来研究HepG2细胞摄取CHSP纳米粒的机制.最后,采用细胞免疫荧光法对内质网、高尔基体和溶酶体进行染色,使用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜（CLSM）观察不同的孵育时间CHSP纳米粒的亚细胞分布.结果 成功合成了FITC-CHSP,且FITC-CHSP能在水介质中自组装成纳米粒,该纳米粒呈规则球形,平均粒径为（63.0 ±1.9） nm.MTT结果表明CHSP纳米粒对HepG2细胞无明显的细胞毒性.内吞抑制实验表明网格蛋白介导的内吞途径以及巨胞饮途径共同参与了CHSP纳米粒的入胞过程.纳米粒的亚细胞分布实验表明：在研究的孵育时间（4 h）内,并未发现CHSP纳米粒进入高尔基体和内质网;当纳米粒与HepG2细胞孵育30 min时,没有纳米粒定位于溶酶体中,随着孵育时间的延长,大量纳米粒分布于溶酶体中.结论 CHSP纳米粒有望成为细胞内递送治疗剂的一种通用载体.     

星型M-PLGA纳米药物制剂用于宫颈癌治疗的研究

目的 本研究合成了一种星型的甘露醇引发的聚（乳酸-羟基乙酸）共聚物（M-PLGA）,旨在提供一种新型的纳米制剂用于宫颈癌的治疗.方法 这种新型的共聚物通过开环聚合合成,利用核磁共振仪进行表征.采用改进的纳米沉淀法制备载多烯紫杉醇M-PLGA纳米粒并在扫描电镜下观察纳米粒的形态.结果 M-PLGA纳米粒粒径分布较窄,在人宫颈癌Hela细胞中的摄取水平要高于PLGA纳米粒.载多烯紫杉醇的M-PLGA纳米粒对Hela细胞的毒性显著高于商用的泰素帝和载多烯紫杉醇的PLGA纳米粒,证明星型M-PLGA聚合物作为纳米药物载体优于线型PLGA聚合物;同时,星型M-PLGA的载药量也明显高于线型聚合物.结论 星型M-PLGA共聚物可作为一种极具潜力的用于宫颈癌治疗的纳米载体材料.     

甘草酸表面修饰万乃洛韦白蛋白纳米粒的制备及其肝靶向性研究

以万乃洛韦为模型药物 ,去溶剂化法制备普通载药纳米粒 ,结合高碘酸盐氧化法制备甘草酸 -万乃洛韦白蛋白纳米粒偶联物。对其表面甘草酸密度、形态、大小及其分布、体外释药特性、载药量、包封率、动物体内肝分布和体外肝细胞的摄取情况进行了研究。修饰纳米粒表面甘草酸密度为 9;平均粒径 d0 .5=2 6 8± 2 3nm;载药量1.35 % ;包封率 6 8.76 % ;体外释药符合双相动力学规律 ;对肝细胞具有选择靶向性。静注 15 min后 ,有 6 9.89%集中在肝脏 ,对照组为 6 4 .82 % ,二者之间存在显著差异 (P<0 .10 )。甘草酸表面修饰白蛋白纳米粒制备成功 ,为肝细胞靶向给药提供了新途径。     

聚己内酯-吐温80共聚物纳米粒在神经胶质瘤化疗中的应用

目的 研究新型载多西紫杉醇聚己内酯-吐温80共聚物(PCL-Tween 80)纳米粒在神经胶质瘤化疗中的应用.方法 以PCL-Tween 80和聚己内酯为材料,利用改良的溶剂萃取/挥发方法制备载多西紫杉醇纳米粒并进行性质表征.利用激光共聚焦显微镜观察纳米粒的细胞摄取情况,并利用噻唑蓝(MTT)法测定纳米粒对C6细胞的细胞毒作用.结果 载药纳米粒呈球形,粒径约为200 nm.PCL-Tween 80纳米粒的载药量为10%,28 d内可以释放包裹药物的34.90%.与同浓度的泰素帝(Taxotere(R))比较,载多西紫杉醇PCL-Tween 80纳米粒对C6细胞的细胞毒性作用更强.结论 载多西紫杉醇PCL-Tween 80纳米粒用于神经胶质瘤的化疗极具应用前景.     

载基因壳聚糖纳米粒的制作优化和表征

目的 改良和优化载基因壳聚糖纳米微粒制作方法.方法 制备具有水溶性的磷酸化壳聚糖(pCS),再将pCS与甲胎蛋白基因的探针按不同比例浓度混合制作纳米粒.测量纳米粒径及电位变化,以及改变溶液pH值对包封率的影响.应用拉曼光谱分析纳米粒荧光强度变化.结果 改良制作纳米粒的方法更简单,粒径(144.6±6.8)nm与常规方法制作纳米粒粒径(153.4±18.9)mn差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).通过优化条件,pCS与基因探针摩尔浓度比例为2∶1时最理想,改良法制作纳米粒径为(102.6±12.0)nm,zeda电位为(1.45±1.75)mV,包封率为(87.6±3.5)%.纳米材料的表征分析显示pCS与探针可结合形成纳米颗粒,并且包封基因探针.结论 优化微量法制作载基因壳聚糖纳米粒的方法可行和简单,pCS可包封基因探针.     

载阿霉素星型多臂PLGA-PEG嵌段共聚物纳米胶束的构建

目的 利用星型多臂端氨基聚乙丙交酯/聚乙二醇[4s-( PLGA-PEG-NH2)]两亲性嵌段共聚物作为载体材料,构建抗肿瘤药物阿霉素纳米胶束载药体系.方法 合成聚合物4s-( PLGA-PEG-NH2),通过核磁共振氢谱(1H NMR)和凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)对其组成、结构及相对分子质量进行表征;采用溶剂挥发法制备阿霉素(DOX)聚合物纳米胶束,并通过透射电子显微镜(TEM)、粒径分析仪及荧光分析法对载药纳米胶束进行表征;对阿霉素载药纳米胶束在HeLa细胞中的摄取及细胞毒性进行了初步评价.结果 1H NMR与GPC测定结果表明:合成的共聚物符合设计的4s-( PLGA-PEG-NH2)结构;能成功物理包埋DOX药物分子在水溶液中自组装成核-壳结构的纳米胶束,载药量约为7.5％,包埋率约为75.2％,Zeta电位为-17.6 mV;体外细胞实验显示:载阿霉素星型4臂聚合物纳米胶束[DOX-loaded 4s-(PLGA-PEG-NH2)micelles]比载阿霉素线性聚合物纳米胶束[DOX-loaded linear-( PLGA-PEG-PLGA)micelles]可更有效地被HeLa细胞摄取,并对HeLa细胞的毒性更强.结论 4s-( PLGA-PEG-NH2)阿霉素载药纳米胶束可有效提高HeLa细胞的摄取率以及对HeLa细胞的杀伤率,提示其可作为一类新型的抗肿瘤药物递送载体.     

Synthesis and drug release behavior of poly (trimethylene carbonate)-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (trimethylene carbonate) nanoparticles

ABA-type triblock copolymers poly (trimethylene carbonate)-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (trimethylene carbonate) were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate initiated by dihydroxyl poly (ethylene glycol). The critical micelle concentration of amphiphilic triblock copolymers in aqueous solution was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy using 9-chloromethyl anthracene as fluorescence probe. Core-shell-type nanoparticles were prepared by the dialysis technique. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that these nanoparticles were regularly spherical in shape. Micelle size determined by dynamic light scattering is 50-160 nm. Anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX) as model drug was loaded in the polymeric nanoparticles. X-ray powder diffraction spectra showed that model drugs were molecularly dispersed in the core. In vitro release behavior of MTX was investigated.     

Constructing doxorubicin-loaded polymeric micelles through amphiphilic graft polyphosphazenes containing ethyl tryptophan and PEG segments

By changing the molar ratio of hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, a series of novel amphiphilic graft polyphosphazenes (PEG/EtTrp-PPPs) was synthesized via thermal ring-opening polymerization and a subsequent two-step substitution reaction of hydrophilic methoxyl polyethylene glycol (MPEG) and hydrophobic ethyl tryptophan (EtTrp). ¹H-Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared studies validated the expected synthesis of copolymers. The copolymer composition was also confirmed by UV–visible spectrophotometry. The molar ratio of the segment PEG to group EtTrp was 1.33:0.67, 1.01:0.99 and 0.78:1.22, respectively. Micellization behavior of PEG/EtTrp-PPPs in an aqueous phase was characterized by fluorescence technique, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the graft copolymer in aqueous solution was 0.158, 0.033 and 0.020 g l^?1, which decreased as the hydrophobic content in amphiphilic copolymers increased. Doxorubicin (DOX) was physically loaded into micelles prepared by an O/W emulsion method with a drug loading content increasing with DOX feeding. In vitro release of DOX from micelles can be accelerated in weak acidic solution. The results of cytotoxicity study using an MTT assay method with HeLa cell showed that amphiphilic graft polyphosphazenes were biocompatible while DOX-loaded micelles achieved comparable cytotoxicity with that of free DOX. In summary, these novel amphiphilic copolymers exhibited potential to be used as injectable drug carriers for tumor treatment.     

紫杉醇聚合物纳米囊泡的制备和体外释放研究

目的 以聚己内酯-b-聚乙二醇-6-聚己内酯（PCEP）两亲性三嵌段共聚物为载体研制紫杉醇聚合物纳米囊泡.方法 以不同分子量的聚乙二醇（PEG）引发合成不同亲水段、疏水段链长的PCEP并进行FT-IR、1H NMR和GPC表征,以合成的嵌段聚合物PCEP为载体,通过薄膜-超声分散法制备紫杉醇聚合物纳米囊泡,用透射电子显微镜（TEM）表征其形态和构造,用粒度分析仪测定其粒径及分布,用高效液相色谱（HPLC）法测定其载药量及包封率,用透析袋法研究药物体外释放;同时,研究不同亲水链长、疏水链长对紫杉醇聚合物囊泡载药量、包封率、粒径及体外释放紫杉醇药物的影响.结果 研制的紫杉醇聚合物囊泡呈核-壳结构球形,粒径为纳米级,随着PCEP共聚物相对分子质量的增加而增大;紫杉醇聚合物囊泡体外释放无突释现象,能稳定缓慢释放紫杉醇,且释放速率随共聚物中亲水段PEG含量增加而增大,随疏水段PCL含量增大而减小.结论 以PCEP两亲性三嵌段共聚物为载体制备的紫杉醇聚合物纳米囊泡,其粒径小且分布均匀,包封率较高,有望成为一种用于提高紫杉醇的药效且降低不良反应的新的紫杉醇缓控释剂型.     

Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro 5-Fu release behavior of poly(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate) nanoparticles

Novel ABA-type amphiphilic triblock copolymers composed of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) as hydrophilic segment and poly (2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate) (PDTC) as hydrophobic segment were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) initiated by dihydroxyl PEG. The influence of introducing PEG block on crystalline behavior of PDTC segment was investigated by DSC. Polymeric micelles in aqueous medium were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The critical micelle concentration of these copolymers was in the range of 5.1-50.5 mg/L. Particle size was 80-280 nm. Core-shell-type nanoparticles were prepared by the dialysis technique. Zeta potential was measured by laser Doppler anemometry, and all nanoparticles had negative zeta potential. Transmission electron microscopy images demonstrated that these nanoparticles were spherical in shape. Anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) as a model drug was loaded in the polymeric nanoparticles. X-ray powder diffraction demonstrated that 5-Fu was encapsulated into polymeric nanoparticles as molecular dispersion. In vitro cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was evaluated by MTT assay. In vitro release behavior of 5-Fu was investigated, and sustained drug release was achieved.     

Co-delivery of doxorubicin and paclitaxel by PEG-polypeptide nanovehicle for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Despite progress, combination therapy of different functional drugs to increase the efficiency of anticancer treatment still remains challenges. An amphiphilic methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(l-glutamic acid)-b-poly(l-lysine) triblock copolymer decorated with deoxycholate (mPEsG-b-PLG-b-PLL/DOCA) was synthesized and developed as a nanovehicle for the co-delivery of anticancer drugs: doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX). The amphiphilic copolymer spontaneously self-assembled into micellar-type nanoparticles in aqueous solutions and the blank nanoparticles possessed excellent stability. Three different domains of the copolymer performed distinct functions: PEG outer corona provided prolonged circulation, middle biodegradable and hydrophilic PLG shell was designed for DOX loading through electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic deoxycholate modified PLL served as the container for PTX. In vitro cytotoxicity assays against A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line demonstrated that the DOX + PTX co-delivered nanoparticles (Co-NPs) exhibited synergistic effect in inducing cancer cell apoptosis. Ex vivo DOX fluorescence imaging revealed that Co-NPs had highly efficient targeting and accumulation at the implanted site of A549 xenograft tumor in vivo. Co-NPs exhibited significantly higher antitumor efficiency in reducing tumor size compared to free drug combination or single drug-loaded nanoparticles, while no obvious side effects were observed during the treatment, indicating this co-delivery system with different functional antitumor drugs provides the clinical potential in cancer therapy.     

The tumor accumulation and therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin carried in calcium phosphate-reinforced polymer nanoparticles

A mineral (calcium phosphate, CaP)-reinforced core-shell-corona micelle was evaluated as a nanocarrier of doxorubicin (DOX) for cancer therapy. The polymer micelles of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-aspartic acid)-b-poly(L-phenylalanine) (PEG-PAsp-PPhe) in the aqueous phase provided the three distinct functional domains: the hydrated PEG outer corona for prolonged circulation, the anionic PAsp middle shell for CaP mineralization, and the hydrophobic PPhe inner core for DOX loading. CaP mineralization was performed by initial electrostatic localization of calcium ions at anionic PAsp shells, and the consequent addition of phosphate anions to trigger the growth of CaP. The mineralization did not affect the micelle size or the spherical morphology. The CaP-mineralized micelles exhibited enhanced serum stability. The DOX release from the DOX-loaded mineralized micelles (DOX-CaP-PM) at physiological pH was efficiently inhibited, whereas at an endosomal pH (pH 4.5), DOX release was facilitated due to the rapid dissolution of the CaP mineral layers in the middle shell domains. The in vivo tissue distribution and tumor accumulation of the DOX-CaP-PM that were labeled with a near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) dye, Cy5.5, were monitored in MDA-MB231 tumor-bearing mice. Non-invasive real-time optical imaging results indicated that the DOX-CaP-PM exhibited enhanced tumor specificity due to the prolonged stable circulation in the blood and an enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect compared with the DOX-loaded nonmineralized polymer micelles (DOX-NPM). The DOX-CaP-PM exhibited enhanced therapeutic efficacy in tumor-bearing mice compared with free DOX and DOX-NPM. The CaP mineralization on assembled nanoparticles may serve as a useful guide for enhancing the antitumor therapeutic efficacy of various polymer micelles and nano-aggregates.     

Folic acid conjugated glycol chitosan micelles for targeted delivery of doxorubicin: preparation and preliminary evaluation in vitro

For folate receptor (FR) targeted anticancer therapy, novel folic acid (FA) conjugated cholesterol-modified glycol chitosan (FCHGC) micelles were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The degree of substitution was 1.4 FA groups and 7.7 cholesterol groups per 100 sugar residues of glycol chitosan. The critical aggregation concentration of FCHGC micelles in aqueous solution was 0.0169?mg/ml. The doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded FCHGC (DFCHGC) micelles were prepared by an emulsion/solvent evaporation method. The DFCHGC micelles were almost spherical in shape and their size increased from 282 to 320?nm with the DOX-loading content increasing from 4.53 to 11.4%. DOX released from DOX-loaded micelles displayed sustained release behavior. The targeted micelles encapsulated DOX showed significantly greater cytotoxicity against FR-positive HeLa cells than the nontargeted DOX-loaded micelles and free DOX. These results suggested that FCHGC micelles could be a potential carrier for targeted drug delivery.