Design and characterization of antitumor drug paclitaxel-loaded chitosan nanoparticles by W/O emulsions

Chitosan nanoparticles and paclitaxel loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by emulsification-crosslinking method in a W/O emulsion system, using glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent. The mean diameter of chitosan nanoparticles decreased with increase of pH value of the reaction system from 4.5 to 6.5, and increased when the pH exceeded 6.5. Ultraviolet spectrum analysis showed that the largest loading efficiency and encapsulation efficiency could be 8.55% and 94.01%, respectively. In vitro drug release profile was also determined by ultraviolet spectrometry. MTT assays revealed that the blank chitosan nanoparticles had almost none toxicity, and cell culture was carried out accordingly.