Polypyrrole-chitosan core-shell nanoparticles for anticancer drug delivery

Polypyrrole-chitosan (ppy-chit) hollow nanospheres [1] have been synthesised using a simple route wherein dispersion polymerisation of pyrrole was followed by treatment with aqueous ammonia, centrifugation and dialysis. Ppy-chit hollow nanospheres were characterised by different techniques including transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, powder x-ray diffractometry and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The particle size and stability were determined by using a Zetasizer. The investigation of the physicochemical properties of the nanospheres helped further analysis and optimisation in order to achieve optimal size and shape for potential uses in the nanomedical area [2]. The obtained ppy-chit hollow nanospheres were designed so the material could be used in biolmedical applications. A model anticancer drug, Nile blue chloride, was loaded into the ppy-chit hollow nanospheres by adsorption, and the desorption profile showed that 88% of the dye was released at a typical physiological pH over a period of 5 hours. The combined molecular properties of chitosan and polypyrrole shown in this presentation have the potential to play key roles in drug targeting for solid tumours [3]. 1. Cheng D., Xia H., Chan A. Langmuir, 2004, 20, 9909-12. 2. Li X.H., Zhang C., Le Gudayer L. and Chen C.Y. Science China Chemistry, 2010, 53 (11), 2241-9. 3. Vimalarasa R., Foot P.J.S. and Calabrese G. Polymers & Polymer Composites, 2014, 22(9), 753-762.