Differential delivery of vincristine to A549 cells using Chitosan capped silver nanoparticles under the pH trigger

Abstract

This study reports chitosan capped biogenically synthesized silver nanoparticles (Chit@AgNPs) of Diameter=12 nm for efficient delivery of vincristine (VCR) to A549 cells under the pH trigger. About 48% w/w of VCR could be loaded to Chit@AgNP without any conjugation system. The infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of abundant quantities of the hydroxyl group on the surface of VCR loaded Chit@AgNP and it was confirmed by its negative zeta potential (-11.7 mV). Under in vitro condition, the release of VCR from Chit@AgNP into aqueous solution strictly followed first order kinetics with high preference to acidic pH. Significant cytotoxicity was observed in A549 cells than MDCK cells at p > 0-05 when incubated with VCR loaded Chit@AgNP, promoting high specificity towards cancer cells.