Chitosan coated solid lipid nanoparticles as promising carriers for docetaxel

Abstract

Due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and its ability to modify the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles, chitosan has been widely used as a coating substance for different nanoparticles. The development and optimization of chitosan coated solid lipid nanoparticles (CS-SLNs) encapsulating docetaxel was the aim of this study. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) with and without chitosan coat were prepared by high-pressure hot homogenization technique. Characterization of these nanoparticles was carried out by measuring particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, transmission electron microscope and in-vitro release of docetaxel from these nanoparticles. Furthermore, evaluation of the cytotoxic and antitumor activities of both docetaxel CS-SLNs and uncoated SLNs was carried out.Coating solid lipid nanoparticles with chitosan increased particle size from 143 ± 2.5–225 nm ± 3.6 and inverted the surface charge from −35 ± 3.3 to +25 mV ± 2.1. Furthermore, chitosan coated nanoparticles exhibited a slower docetaxel release compared to the uncoated nanoparticles. Additionally, docetaxel CS-SLN showed higher in vitro cytotoxicity and tumor inhibition compared with uncoated nanoparticles. In conclusion, docetaxel solid lipid nanoparticles could be successfully coated with chitosan which improved the in vitro and in vivo performance of these nanoparticles compared to uncoated nanoparticles.