Preparation and characterization of polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles based on poly (malic acid), chitosan. A...

The main objective of this work was to develop polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles based on poly (malic acid), chitosan (PMLA/CS) as pH-dependent delivery systems. The results indicated that the PMLA/CS Nps were successfully prepared. The prepared PMLA/CS Nps showed spherical morphology with a mean diameter of 212.81 nm and negative surface charge of -24.60 mV, and revealing significant pH-sensitive properties as the mass ratio of PMLA to CS was 5:5. The prepared PMLA/CS Nps were characterized by FT-IR, TEM and DLS. The prepared PMLA/CS Nps remained stable over a temperature range of 4-53 °C. Doxorubicin (Dox) as a model drug was loaded on the nanoparticles through the physical adsorption method. The high drug loading efficiency (16.9%) and the sustained release patterns in acidic media were observed, and the release accelerated in alkaline solutions. MTT based cytotoxic analysis also depicted the non-toxic nature of PMLA/CS Nps, while Dox-PMLA/CS Nps showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity towards MDA-MB-231 cells. Hence, the nanoparticles could be potentially applied as pH sensitive drug vehicles for controlled release.