PEG-chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles with high saturated magnetization as carriers of 10-hydroxycamptothecin: Preparation, characterization and cytotoxicity studies

► A nano-sized carrier with a high saturated magnetization was prepared by a novel reverse ultrasonic emulsification method. ► The unspecific adsorption of protein on PEG-CS-Fe3O4 decreased significantly after coupling PEG. ► Water-insoluble HCPT was loaded onto PEG-CS-Fe3O4 by a subtle precipitation method. ► The HCPT-loaded PEG-CS-Fe3O4 exhibited a high cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells.