Jian-Li Liu1,2,
Jie Li3,
Ling-Yan Zhang2,
Pei-Li Zhang2,
Jun-Lin Zhou2,
Bin Liu1,3 
For correspondence:- Bin Liu Email: liubin244@hotmail.com Tel:+869318913551
Received: 9 March 2017 Accepted: 21 July 2017 Published: 31 August 2017
Citation: Liu J, Li J, Zhang L, Zhang P, Zhou J, Liu B. Preparation of N, N, N-trimethyl chitosan-functionalized retinoic acid-loaded lipid nanoparticles for enhanced drug delivery to glioblastoma. Trop J Pharm Res 2017; 16(8):1765-1772 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v16i8.3
© 2017 The authors.
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Purpose: To formulate trimethyl chitosan-functionalized retinoic acid-encapsulated solid lipid nanoparticles for the effective treatment of glioma.
Methods: Retinoic acid-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (R-SLNs) were prepared using homogenization followed by sonication. R-SLN surfaces were functionalized electrostatically with trimethyl chitosan as a nanocarrier (TR-SLNs) with enhanced anti-cancer activity. They were evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy, in vitro drug release, and cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies.
Results: Morphological images showed spherical and uniformly dispersed nanoparticles. A sustained monophasic release pattern was observed throughout the study period. Furthermore, the anti-cancer effect of TR-SLNs was demonstrated by increased cell killing activity compared with the free drug (p < 0.01); negligible cytotoxicity was observed with blank carriers. Apoptosis assay showed increased cell populations in early/late apoptotic and necrotic phases.
Conclusion: This study showed the potential application of surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticles for the effective treatment of brain cancer.
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