Development and characterization of pH responsive polymeric nanoparticles of SN-38 for colon cancer

Abstract

7-Ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) is 1000 times more cytotoxic than its prodrug Irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11). It is not used therapeutically because of its insolubility in acceptable solvents. The objective of the present study was to prepare chitosan nanoparticles (CsENP) of SN-38 by polyelectrolyte complexation method using the Box-Behnken design. CsENPs were evaluated for mean particle size, drug loading, entrapment efficiency and characterized by TEM, XRD, DSC and FTIR. The actual values represented good agreement with predicted values. Drug release behavior in simulated colonic fluid followed Higuchi kinetics. CsENPs were stable and can be used further for treatment of colon cancer by oral route.