Folate conjugated carboxymethyl chitosan–manganese doped zinc sulphide nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery and imaging of cancer cells

We developed a novel folic acid (FA) conjugated carboxymethyl chitosan coordinated to manganese doped zinc sulphide quantum dot (FA–CMC–ZnS:Mn) nanoparticles. The system can be used for targeting, controlled drug delivery and also imaging of cancer cells. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using SEM, AFM, FT-IR, UV and DLS studies. The size range of 5-FU encapsulated FA–CMC–ZnS:Mn nanoparticles were from 130 to 150 nm. The anticancer drug selected in this study was 5-Fluorouracil which can be used for the breast cancer treatment. The nontoxicity of FA–CMC–ZnS:Mn nanoparticles were studied using L929 cells. Breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was used to study the imaging, specific targeting and cytotoxicity of the drug loaded nanoparticles. The in vitro imaging of cancer cells with the nanoparticles studied using fluorescent microscopy. The bright and stable luminescence of quantum dots can be used to image the drug carrier in cancer cells without affecting their metabolic activity and morphology.