Synthesis and evaluation of methionine and folate co-decorated chitosan self-assembly polymeric micelles as a potential hydrophobic drug-delivery system

In this study, an amphiphilic copolymer folate-succinyl-methionine-chitosan-octyl (FSMCO) was successfully synthesized step by step for self-assembling polymeric micelles. The copolymers formed micelle-like nanoparticles by their amphiphilic characteristics and structures were examined by UV-Vis absorption and Fourier transform spectroscopy. The sizes of blank and ICG derivative-loaded micelles measured by dynamic light scattering were about 170 and 140 nm, respectively, which were spherical in shape with an average zeta potential of −10 mV. Further studies on the stability showed that the micellar solutions maintain their sizes at room temperature for 1 month without distinct aggregation or dissociation. ICG derivative was much better photostable after being entrapped by the new carrier. The prepared FSMCO micelles displayed a good drug loading content (11.7%), entrapment efficiency (66.5%) and sustained release rate for the model drug fluorescein. The copolymers demonstrated weeny cytotoxicity toward Bel-7402, L02 and A549 cells when incubated for 2 d. Ligands modified micelles endowed preferable cell targeting capability and beautiful cell inhibition of HCPT-FSMCO on Bel-7402 tumor cells. This kind of polymeric micelles may be a promising nanovehicle in delivering near-infrared dyes for tumors imaging and chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer therapeutics.