Synthesis of Folate Decorated Carbon Nanotubes and Its Irinotecan Release

Multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized by folate (FA) conjugated chitosan (CS) were used as drug carrier. Irinotecan, as a model of anticancer drug, was non covalently encapsulated into (or onto) the functionalized carbon nanotubes. The obtained FA-CS MWCNTs nano materials were characterized with infrared spectra, UV-Vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric ana lysis, and the drug loading efficiency and in vitro drug release profile was also studied. Results showed that the irinotecan was successfully loaded into functionalized carbon nanotubes, and the drug loading efficiency and encapsulated efficiency were 63.6% and 85.92%, respectively. The mass fraction of folate modified chitosan, carbon nanotubes and irinotecan in FA CS MWCNTs irinotecan was 18.6%, 44.3% and 38.9%, respectively. The release of irinotecan from carbon nanotubes at pH=7.4 showed a slow and sustained release over 70 h.