Chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles: A sustained drug release strategy for cell cultures

A recently patented one-step methodology was used for the formulation of chitosan (CS) coated polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles containing dexamethasone (DXM) as a model drug. SEM investigations showed that nanoparticles (NPs) were spherical in shape with smooth surface. CS coating switched NPs ζ-potential from negative to positive, without modifying particle size distribution. Moreover, CS coating allowed a significant modulation of in vitro drug release, providing a sustained drug delivery in cultured cells.The uptake of fluorescent CS-coated PLGA NPs by hepatocytes (C3A) and fibroblasts (3T6) as well as the fate of internalized NPs were investigated by confocal microscopy. 3T6 and C3A cells were treated with DXM-loaded NPs and experiments were addressed to analyze the specific cell response to DXM, in order to evaluate its functional efficiency in comparison with conventional addition to culture medium. CS-coating of DXM loaded PLGA NPs allowed their uptake by cultured cells without inducing cytotoxicity.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A physical approach for studying DXM release from colloidal polymeric NPs has been proposed.
► CS coating influenced significantly dielectric properties and stability of DXM-loaded PLGA complexes.
► CS-PLGA NPs formulation has proven to be very interesting for drug delivery applications, since it provides a controlled and sustained release of DXM in vitro.