title: Microencapsulation of coupled folate and chitosan nanoparticles for targeted delivery of combination drugs to colon.
abstract: Folate-chitosan nanoparticles, co-loaded with 5-fluourouacil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) and prepared by ionic gelation technology were physically microencapsulated by enteric polymer using a solvent evaporation method. Average particle size of the microencapsulated particles was in the range of 15 to 35 µm. High drug encapsulation efficiency was obtained for both 5-FU and LV in the microencapsulated particles. Both drugs were in amorphous state in the microencapsulated particles. By enteric coating, excellent pH-dependent release profile was achieved and no drug release was observed in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. However, when the pH value reached the soluble threshold of Eudragit S-100, a constant and slow drug release was observed. The results indicated that these microencapsulated particles are a promising vehicle for selectively targeting drugs to colon in the chemotherapy of colon cancer.
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Product Processing Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences , Zhanjiang , People's Republic of China .
authors.forename: Puwang
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ziming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yichao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Sidong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lingxue
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Qinghuang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002214:Capsules; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D003106:Colon; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C038300:methylmethacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer; D048271:Chitosan; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: 5-Fluorourical; colon cancer; drug delivery; leucovorin; microencapsulation