Title
New folic acid-chitosan derivative based nanoparticles – Potential applications in cancer therapy
Authors
LIANA ALUPEI GABRIELA LISA ANDREEA BUTNARIU JACQUES DESBRIERES ANCA NICULINA CADINOIU CATALINA ANISOARA PEPTU GABRIELA CALIN and MARCEL POPA

Received April 14, 2016
Published Volume 51 Issue 7-8 July-August
Keywords chitosan, folic acid, double crosslinking, nanoparticles, 5-fluorouracil, cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility

Abstract
The active targeting through ligand–receptor-type interactions is exploited for obtaining chitosan-folic acid nanoparticles through double crosslinking reverse emulsion. Stable particles, without toxicity, with sizes appropriate for intravenous administration were prepared. The chitosan derivative was verified by spectral methods (FT-IR, RMN, UV-Vis, XRD) and a thermal technique (TG). The structural characterization of the nanoparticles through FT-IR spectroscopy proved ionic (Na2SO4) and covalent (GA) reticulation. The spherical shape, the average diameter and the relatively narrow polydispersity of the nanoparticles were illustrated through SEM, TEM microscopic techniques and laser beam diffractometry. The loading and release capacity was tested using 5-fluorouracil as a model drug, its amount being determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity and hemolysis tests performed on the nanoparticles proved their lack of toxicity and their hemocompatibility. The tests performed on tumor cell lines revealed the capacity of chitosan-folic acid nanoparticles to preferentially bind to these cells, compared to the CS only nanoparticles.