Production, physicochemical characterization, and anticancer activity of methotrexate-loaded phytic acid-chitosan nanoparticles on HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Methotrexate-loaded phytic acid-chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized by ionic gelation assisted by high-intensity sonication. The nanoparticles were characterized by particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential (ZP) and encapsulation efficiency. Their physical stability was evaluated at 4 °C and 40 °C, whereas the in-vitro methotrexate release was assessed at pH 7.

Production and Characterization of Chitosan-Polyanion Nanoparticles by Polyelectrolyte Complexation Assisted by High-Intensity Sonication for the Modified Release of Methotrexate.

A promising strategy to improve the effectivity of anticancer treatment and decrease its side effects is to modulate drug release by using nanoparticulates (NPs) as carriers. In this study, methotrexate-loaded chitosan-polyanion nanoparticles were produced by polyelectrolyte complexation assisted by high-intensity sonication, using several anionic polymers, such as the sodium and potassium salts of poly(maleic acid--ethylene) and poly(maleic acid--octadecene), here named PAM-2 and PAM-18, respectively. Such NPs were analyzed and characterized according to particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency.