Chitosan coated magnetic nanoparticles as carriers of anticancer drug Telmisartan: pH-responsive controlled drug release and cytotoxicity studies

Abstract Chitosan, a natural, hydrophilic and biodegradable polymer was grafted on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and used as a carrier of poorly water-soluble anticancer drug Telmisartan (TEL). The characteristics of MNPs and chitosan coated MNPs (MNP-CS) were determined by using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer, and BET surface area analyzer. The chitosan coating of MNPs was validated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal gravimetric analysis. The drug was loaded on MNP-CS through an amide bond between amino groups of chitosan and carboxylic groups of TEL. The drug loading capacity of ~50% was obtained due to the large BET surface area (134 m2/g) of mesoporous MNP-CS. Drug loaded MNP-CS (MNP–CS–TEL) showed pH-responsive controlled release characteristics. The MNP–CS–TEL showed dose dependent cytotoxicity towards PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. The results demonstrated the significant antitumor activity of designed nanoformulation.