Preparation and in vitro release study of quaternized chitosan nanoparticles

In order to exploit a novel drug carrier for 5-fluorocrai (5-Fu) with improved entrapment efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) determined by UV/Vis spectrophotometer, N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium) propyl] chitosan chloride (HTCC) nanoparticles were prepared via the ionic gelation based on the electrostatic interactions between positively charged HTCC and negatively charged sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). The in vitro release behavior of 5-Fu molecules encapsulated within HTCC nanoparticles took a controlled manner in PBS buffer solution (pH 7.4), initiating from a rapid release within 2 hours following a slower sustained release. A higher substitution degree of quaternary ammonium group (DQ) along HTCC chain generated a stronger electrostatic interaction between positively charged HTCC and negatively charged 5-Fu as a result of a higher positively charge density, and contributed to the controlled release of 5-Fu from HTCC nonaparticles. The formation mechanism of HTCC nanoparticles and 5-Fu-loaded HTCC nanoparticles was probed based on the results of fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and size and zeta potential analysis. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.