Preparation and characterization of mPEG grafted chitosan micelles as 5-fluorouracil carriers for effective anti-tumor activity

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) grafted chitosan (mPEG-g-CS) to be used as a drug carrier. mPEG-g-CS was successfully synthesized by one-step method with formaldehyde. The substitution degree of mPEG on chitosan was calculated by elemental analysis and was found to be (3.23 ± 0.25)%. mPEG-g-CS self-assembled micelles were prepared by ultrasonic method with the controlled size of 178.5–195.1 nm and spherical morphology. Stable dispersion of the micelles was formed with the zeta potential of 2.3–30.2 mV. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer chemotherapy drug, was used as a model drug to evaluate the efficiency of the new drug delivery carrier. The loading efficiency of 5-FU was (4.01 ± 0.03)%, and the drug-loaded mPEG-g-CS self-assembled micelle showed a controlled-release effect. In summary, the mPEG-g-CS self-assembled micelle is proved to be a promising carrier with controlled particle size and controlled-release effect. Therefore, it has great potential for the application as 5-FU carriers for effective anti-tumor activity.

Graphical abstractMethoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) grafted chitosan (mPEG-g-CS) self-assembled micelles were successfully prepared with controlled size and spherical morphology. This carrier would have a potential application in controlled release of 5-fluorouracil for effective anti-tumor activity.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide