Chlorambucil Encapsulation into PLGA Nanoparticles and Cytotoxic Effects in Breast Cancer Cell

The present work aimed to develop and evaluate a colloidal system composed of poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) associated with chlorambucil (CHB) and its effects on cancer cells. The nanoparticles showed %EE (>92%), a mean particle size in the range of 240 to 334 nm and zeta potential of -16.7 to -26.0 mV. In vitro release profile showed a biphasic pattern, with an initial burst for all formulations. The scanning electron microscopy of CHB-nanoparticles showed regular spherical shapes, smooth surface without aggregations. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms, UV-vis absorption, fluorescence emission and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed showing the entrapment of the antitumoral in drug delivery system. CHB encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles decrease the survival rates of the breast cancer cells: 68.9% reduction of cell viability on MCF-7 cell line and 59.7% on NIH3T3. Our results indicated that polymeric nanoparticles produced by classical methods are efficient drug delivery systems for CHB.