Glutathione-modified hyaluronic acid nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of sulfasalazine to neuroblastoma

A new nanoparticulate system based on hyaluronic acid for targeted delivery of sulfasalazine (SSA) to neuroblastoma was synthetized and characterized. The SSA-containing nanoparticles were obtained by nanoprecipitation and then surface-modified with PEG chains and glutathione using EDC/NHS chemistry. The resulting hydrogel nanospheres had a hydrodynamic diameter of about 165 nm and were colloidally stable. AFM and cryo-TEM images confirmed their spherical shape, nanometer size and low aggregation tendency. SSA was effectively encapsulated in the polymer matrix and released from the nanoparticles in a controlled manner. Bioassays showed that our nanoparticles were non-hemolytic, efficiently taken up by neuroblastoma cells and, compared to free SSA, showed superior cytotoxicity against SH-SY5Yneuroblastoma cells at low concentrations. Both the release profile and biological studies indicate the high potential of our delivery system in neuroblastoma therapy.