New generation of chitosan-encapsulated ZnO quantum dots loaded with drug: Synthesis, characterization and in vitro drug delivery response
✍ Scribed by Q. Yuan; S. Hein; R.D.K. Misra
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 2010
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 518 KB
- Volume
- 6
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1742-7061
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✦ Synopsis
The objective of the study is to describe a new approach of combining quantum dots technology with anti-cancer drug therapy. In this regard, we communicate the preliminary research on the synthesis of blue-light emitting ZnO quantum dots (QDs) combined with biodegradable chitosan (N-acetylglucosamine) for tumor-targeted drug delivery. The results presented here indicate that the proposed new generation of QDs loaded with anti-cancer agents and encapsulated with biocompatible polymer represent a potential platform to deliver tumor-targeted drugs and document the delivery process, if desired. Nontoxic water-dispersed ZnO QDs with long-term fluorescence stability were synthesized by a chemical hydrolysis method, encapsulated with chitosan and loaded with anti-cancer drug. Chitosan enhanced the stability of the QDs because of the hydrophilicity and cationic charge of chitosan. The study points toward the application of water-dispersed ZnO QDs with long-term fluorescence stability for design of new drug release carrier.