Construction of METHFR shRNA/5-fluorouracil co-loaded folate-targeted chitosan polymeric nanoparticles and its anti-carcinoma effect on gastric cells growth

PEGylated and folate-targeted chitosan polymeric nanoparticles (FPNs) for the treatment of gastric carcinoma were prepared successfully. OQC-anchored folate conjugates were synthesized and used in assembling FPNs nano-system for enhancing intracellular uptake against folate receptor overexpressing cancer cells. The results indicated that folate-targeted chitosan polymeric nanoparticles (CPNs) can reverse drug-resistant SGC-7901 cells of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) compared with non-targeted CPNs. Increased therapeutic efficiency of 5-FU/METHFR shRNA co-loaded PNs were also tested in SGC-7901 cells and compaed with 5-FU or METHFR shRNA in solution, which was associated with increased cell inhibition function for single drug group and synergistic effects of 5-FU and METHFR shRNA at 2.0 mu g/mL FPNs concentration. In addition, the cell accumulation levels of 5-FU in SGC-7901 cells was time dependent for these nanoparticles. FPNs (effective diameter: 83.2 +/- 1.1 nm; polydispersity index: 0.193) could significantly boost cellular accumulation of 5-FU and overcome the drug efflux mechanism of MDR than 5-FU-loaded NPNs and 5-FU in solution. In conclusion, ligand-targeted PNs can be used as a potentially effective drug delivery system.