Preparation and characterizations of naproxen-loaded magnetic nanoparticles coated with PLA-g-chitosan copolymer

Naproxen (NPX) drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been prepared in a one-step process utilizing a biocompatible polylactide-grafted-chitosan copolymer. The copolymer serves both as a NPX drug carrier as well as a polymeric surfactant for the synthesis of MNPs without the use of any additional surfactant. Highly stable MNPs with high magnetization in the form of maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) are prepared in aqueous media. Effects of preparation conditions on structures and properties of the copolymer-coated and drug-loaded MNPs are investigated by employing particle size and zeta potential measurements, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and confocal Raman spectroscopy. The results show that average particle size (150–300 nm), coating efficiency, and coating structures of the resulting MNPs materials are strongly dependent on MNP/copolymer and MNP/NPX ratios in feed. It is also observed that NPX acts as co-surfactant in the drug-loading process, resulting in different encapsulating structures with the variation in the MNP/copolymer and MNP/NPX ratios. Properties of the MNPs materials can be further optimized for use in specific biomedical applications.