A novel polyelectrolyte nanocapsule system composed of biopolymers, chitosan and heparin has been fabricated by the layer-by-layer technique on silica nanoparticles followed by dissolution of the silica core. The nanocapsules were of the size range 200±20nm and loaded with the positively charged anticancer drug doxorubicin with an efficiency of 89%. The loading of the drug into the capsule happens by virtue of the pH-responsive property of the capsule wall, which is determined by the pKa of the polyelectrolytes. As the pH is varied, about 64% of the drug is released in acidic pH while 77% is released in neutral pH. The biocompatibility, efficiency of drug loading, and enhanced bioavailability of the capsule system was confirmed by MTT assay and in vivo biodistribution studies. © 2013 Thomas et al., publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.
CITATION STYLE
Thomas, M. B., Radhakrishnan, K., Gnanadhas, D. P., Chakravortty, D., & Raichur, A. M. (2013). Intracellular delivery of doxorubicin encapsulated in novel pH-responsive chitosan/heparin nanocapsules. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 8, 267–273. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S37737
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