In Vitro Evaluation of Folate-targeted Chitosan Nanoparticles loaded With Hydroxycamptothecin

We prepared FA-targeted and 10-hydroxycamptothecin loaded chitosan nanoparticles (FA-HCPT-NPs) with a combination of emulsion-solvent evaporation and chemical crosslinking method. In vitro cytotoxicity test to the Human Cervix Carcinoma cells (He La) was evaluated by cell morphology and internalization observation. The specicity of the FA-HCPT-NPs targeting cancerous cells was demonstrated by comparative intracellular uptake of HCPT-NPs and commercial availible HCPT injection. Laser confocal scanning imaging proved that FA-HCPT-NPs could greatly enhance up-take by He La cells. The morphological changes of He La cells showed the FA-HCPT-NPs could inhibit He La cells more effectively than HCPT-NPs and HCPT. The results indicated that the novel FA-HCPT-NPs could be a potential drug delivery system for tumor cell-selective targeting therapy.