Preparation and Characterization of Bifunctional Nanoparticles of Vitamin E TPGS-emulsified PLGA-PEG-FOL Containing Deferasirox

Iron chelating drugs can impede the rapid reproduction of tumor cells. Among these drugs, deferasirox (DEF) have shown antitumor properties and therefore been selected for this study. The aim of this study was preparation and characterization of the bifunctional polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) by targeting moieties which is applied in cancer. Therefore, DEF NPs were fabricated by exploiting of PLGA-PEG-FOL conjugate and combination of sonication and emulsification/solvent evaporation technique. Then the influence of important factors including the amount of vitamin E TPGS as a safe surfactant and the ratio of drug to polymer in organic phase was evaluated. Some formulations showed suitable size distribution below 200 nm with high drug entrapment. Drug release study indicated sustained release profile of DEF encapsulated in NPs. Stability study showed acceptable condition for preserving the formulation during six months.