Preparation, characterization and preliminary evaluation of magnetic nanoparticles based on biotinylated N-palmitoyl chitosan

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles based on biotinylated N- palmitoyl chitosan and magnetite have been prepared via ionic gelation method. Dynamic light scattering results showed that magnetic nanoparticles average size is dependent on a series of parameters: polymer concentration, weight ratio polymer/cross-linking agent and the stirring speed. In vitro release studies have shown the ability of magnetic nanoparticles to release an antitumoral drug (Doxorubicin) for a period of 6 hours whereas in vitro cytotoxicity tests indicated that the prepared magnetic nanoparticles exhibited anti-proliferative effects on tumoral cells (MCF-7 cell line human breast adenocarcinoma), up to the lowest tested concentration. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that magnetic nanoparticles (BMN6-DOX) were internalized in MCF-7 cells. These properties indicate the potential application as targeted drug delivery system for breast cancer treatment.