Non-covalently coated biopolymeric nanoparticles for improved tamoxifen delivery

Polylysine coated tamoxifen loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) NPs were succesfully obtained and fully characterized exhibiting appropriate hydrodynamic properties, high loading efficiency and a suitable tamoxifen release profile aimed to adress sustained breast cancer treatment. In vitro cytotoxicity assays fulfill the hypothesis in which polylysine was proposed as good candidate to assist tamoxifen delivery since a remarkable cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect was observed over human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF7). [Display omitted] •PLL coated TMX loaded PLGA NPs were successfully obtained.•NPs exhibit suitable characteristics and release profile for breast cancer treatment.•PLL coating strongly capitalize NPs antiproliferative effect over MCF7 cell line. About one-fifth of cancer patients suffer from breast cancer worldwide. Polymeric nanoparticles play an important role in delivering chemotherapeutic agents in a controlled manner. Polylysine coated tamoxifen loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles were prepared using a single emulsion technique with subsequent non-covalently surface functionalization in order to improve nanoparticle-cell interaction and hence tamoxifen therapeutic effect. The obtained nanoparticles were fully characterized in terms of their physico-chemical properties as well of their in vitro performance against human breast adenocarcinoma cells. The successful incorporation of tamoxifen within the hydrophobic matrix of nanoparticles is evidenced by a high loading efficiency (86%). Furthermore, ideal size, morphology and hydrodynamic properties are observed being the proposed nanocarrier capable of display a valuable antiproliferative in vitro effect.