Abstract

Nowadays, nanotechnology contributes diminishing side effects rather than traditional therapeutic methods like chemotherapy. Thus, designing a biocompatible specific targeted nanocarrier with prolonged half-life and enhanced bio- availability using simultaneous cell imaging seems urgent. To meet this demand, 5-fluorouracil-chitosan-carbon quantum dot-aptamer (5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt) nanoparticle was successfully synthesized for specific targeted delivery of 5-FU anti-cancer drug used in breast cancer treatment and this was done by following facile water-in-oil (W/O) emulsification method. Physicochemical properties were characterized and high drug loading and entrapment efficiency were achieved. The average size and zeta potential of the nanoparticle were 122.7 nmand+ 31.2mV, respectively. According to the in-vitro drug release profile, 5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt released the drug in a controlled manner. MTT assay, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and gene expression results demonstrated that the blank nanoparticle was biocompatible, and 5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt could kill tumor cells efficiently. Bcl-2/Bax ratio was decreased after 5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt treatment in MCF-7 cells. Itwas concluded that 5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt could be used as a potential nanocarrier in breast cancer treatment. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.