Chitosan nanoparticles for dermaseptin peptide delivery toward tumor cells in vitro.

The present study aimed to entrap and characterize the morphology and antitumor effects of a dermaseptin (DStomo01) peptide in chitosan nanoparticles, in vitro. DStomo01 nanoparticles showed moderate polydispersivity, excellent colloidal stability, and slow release. It was noted that free DStomo01 induced DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial hyperpolarization in HeLa cells. However, when entrapped in chitosan nanoparticles, DStomo01 was slightly more active against HeLa cells than the free peptide. In conclusion, the present sustained release system was efficient in entrapping the peptide and reducing tumor cell viability, which are promising steps for future studies involving specific targeting of nanoparticles and in-vivo treatments.