Formulation and in vitro evaluation of antineoplastic drug loaded nanoparticles as drug delivery system

The main aim of the present work was to formulate anti-neoplastic drug loaded polymeric nanoparticles using biodegradable polymers (Chitosan and Eudragit RS 100) by emulsion droplet coalescence method. The model drug used here is 5-fluorouracil which is a pyrimidine analogue that is mainly used to treat colonic carcinoma, under the category of anti-neoplastic drugs. Tween 20 was used as emulsifier and colloidal stabilizer. The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated for particle size, surface morphology by TEM, surface charge, drug loading and entrapment efficiency, and for drug release by diffusion. Results show that the prepared nanoparticles are in nanosize, below 1000 nm, having appropriate zeta potential values with better entrapment of drug and controlled release of drug for a period of 12 h. From the obtained formulations, EF5 was selected as best with high entrapment efficiency, optimum zeta potential, and showing more controlled release of drug.   Key words:  Eudragit RS 100, chitosan, nanoparticles, emulsion droplet coalescence method, control release.