Layer-by-layer coated lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles designed for use in anticancer drug delivery

Polyelectrolyte multilayers created via sequential adsorption of complimentary materials may be useful in the delivery of small molecules such as anti-cancer drugs. In this study, layer-by-layer (LbL) nanoarchitectures were prepared by step-wise deposition of naturally derived chitosan and hyaluronic acid on negatively charged hybrid solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). A doxorubicin/dextran sulfate complex was incorporated into the SLNs. This resulted in the production of spherical nanoparticles ∼265 nm in diameter, with a zeta potential of approximately −12 mV. The nanoparticles were physically stable and exhibited controlled doxorubicin (DOX) release kinetics. Further pharmacokinetic manipulations revealed that in comparison with both free DOX and uncoated DOX-loaded SLNs, LbL-functionalized SLNs remarkably enhanced the circulation half-life and decreased the elimination rate of the drug. Cumulatively, our results suggest that this novel LbL-coated system, with a pH-responsive shell and molecularly targeted entities, has the potential to act as a vehicle to deliver medication to targeted tumor regions.