[Preparation of superparamagnetic paclitaxel nanoparticles from modified chitosan and their cytotoxicity against...

We synthesized the superparamagnetic paclitaxel nanoparticles from modified chitosan tangling around Fe3O4 ferrofluid and taxol, and observed the nanoparticles with transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). Then we evaluated the paramagnetism of the particles by vibration specimen magnetometer (VSM) and tested their cytotoxicity with flow cytometry (FCM). The prepared nanoparticle solution was black without any floccule or sediment and appeared transparent after diluted. The nanoparticles were spherical and dispersed in water with mean diameter of 15 nm under TEM and showed superparamagnetic character. FCM test showed the nanoparticles had significant toxic effects against malignant astrocytoma U251 cell lines, equal to taxol alone. These results showed that the superparamagnetic nanoparticle not only enhanced the solubility of paclitaxel in water, but also was superparamagnetic and cytotoxic, which make suitable tools for magnetic targeting chemotherapy of brain gliomas.