Chitosan-Polymer Conjugates as Functional Coatings for Liposomal Bioactive Delivery Systems

Conventional liposomes hold promise as drug delivery systems but face challenges such as susceptibility to rapid clearance and limited targeting specificity. To address these limitations, polymer-coated liposomes have emerged as a viable solution, offering improved biocompatibility and targeted delivery capabilities. This study reports the synthesis and application of a chitosan-polyethylene glycol-folic acid (CTS-PEG-FA) conjugate as a functional liposome coating. The CTS-PEG-FA conjugate is synthesized and thoroughly characterized using spectroscopic techniques. Liposomes coated with this polymer are prepared via the thin-film hydration method and analyzed for particle size, zeta potential, and morphology through transmission electron microscopy. Using quercetin as a model drug, the system's drug-loading capacity and release kinetics are investigated. Results demonstrate that CTS-PEG-FA-coated liposomes facilitate enhanced cellular uptake and exhibit promising cytotoxic effects in cancer cells. This study highlights the potential of polymer-coated liposomes as a versatile and efficient platform for bioactive compound delivery with improved therapeutic performance.