Evaluation for Tumor Targeting and Anti-Tumor Activity of N-Succinyl-Chitosan Nanoparticles

OBJECTIVE To investigate the tumor targeting of N-Succinyl-Chitosan(Suc-Chi) nanoparticles (Suc-Chi/NPs) and the anti-tumor activity of 5-fluorouracil loaded Suc-Chi/NPs (5-Fu-Suc-Chi/NPs). METHODS The distributed amount of FITC-Suc-Chi/NPs in tissues and blood of Sarcoma 180-bearing mice was estimated by the fluorescence measurement. These observations were further confirmed by fluorescence microscopy results of the tissues sections. The anti-tumor activity and toxicity of 5-FU-Suc-Chi-NPs were evaluated by measuring the change in the tumor volume and body weight of Sarcoma 180-bearing mice after intravenous injection of Suc-Chi/NPs, 5-FU-Suc-Chi/NPs, and 5-FU. RESULTS The Suc-Chi/NPs could be sustained in blood throughout a very long time, the rank order of tissue distribution was kidney>tumor>blood>liver>spleen>lung. The 5-FU-Suc-Chi/NPs showed good antitumour activities against Sarcoma 180 solid tumour and mild toxicity, compared with 5-FU injections. CONCLUSION The results revealed that Suc-Chi/NPs were accumulated in the tumor tissue due to the EPR effect and its long systemic retention in blood circulation. The anti-tumor model drug loaded Suc-Chi/NPs showed good antitumour activities against solid tumour and mild toxicity.