pH and magnetic field sensitive folic acid conjugated protein-polyelectrolyte complex for the controlled and targeted delivery of 5-fluorouracil

In the present study, a magnetic protein-polyelectrolyte complex of casein coated iron oxide nanoparticles and folic acid conjugated chitosan-graft-poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) was prepared for the delivery of an anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and characterized using FTIR, XRD, VSM, FESEM, TEM, DLS and zeta potential studies. Sustained and controlled release of 5-FU was observed at acidic pH 5.0. Drug release kinetic studies indicated both swelling and diffusion controlled release. In vitro cytotoxicity studies revealed the low toxicity of the prepared nano drug carrier towards normal cells and folate receptor targeting efficiency of 5-FU loaded carrier towards cancer cells. (c) 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.