Chondroitin sulphate decorated nanoparticulate carriers of 5-fluorouracil: development and in vitro characterization.

The present study investigates prospective of tailored nanoparticles as vectors to provide improved therapeutic efficacy of encapsulated anti-cancer drug 5-FU. Condritin Sulphate (CS) conjugated PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using PEG-bis-amine and adipic dihydrazide as spacers and loaded with an anti-cancer drug 5-FU (CS-PEG-PLGA-FU and CS-ADH-PLGA-FU). The formulations were then compared with non CS-anchored monomethoxy(polyethylene glycol) (MPEG-PLGA-FU) nanoparticles. Nanoparticlulate systems were further characterized by FTIR, NMR, TEM studies and particle size/polydispersity index (PDI) analysis. DSC and XRD were also performed to assess the nature of 5-FU inside the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles prepared using amphiphilic block copolymer CS-PEG-PLGA were able to sustain the release of 5-FU up to 48 h whereas those of CS-ADH-PLGA and MPEG-PLGA released the drug up to 24 h. The CS-PEG-PLGA-FU nanoparticles were found to be least haemolytic when compared to free drug, CS-ADH-PLGA-FU and MPEG-PLGA-FU nanoparticles. Cytotoxicity studies were performed on MCF-7/MDA-MD 231 breast cancer cells. PLGA nanoparticles exhibited more potent cytotoxic effect on MCF-7/MDA-MD 231 cells than free doxorubicin. Further, enhanced cytotoxicity and lower hemolytic potential of CS-PEG-PLGA-FU nanoparticles suggest a potential application in cancer chemotherapy.