Objective:
Nanocapsules play a role in the targeted delivery of
chemotherapy drugs. However, the traditional technology for preparation of
nanocapsules is relatively complex with poor controllability, leading to large differences batch to batch. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of drugs-loaded
nanocapsules (Drugs-NCs) fabricated by coaxial capillary
microfluidic device, and inhibitory effect on malignant
tumors. Materials and Methods: In this study,
oxaliplatin,
irinotecan, and
5-fluorouracil were selected as
chemotherapy drugs, and Drugs-NCs were prepared by coaxial glass capillary
microfluidic device. Next, transmission electron microscope was utilized to characterize surface morphology and particle size distribution of Drugs-NCs. Then, high performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency. Dialysis method was performed to measure the drug release of Drugs-NCs in vitro. To study the effects of Drugs + NCs on
tumor growth in vivo, BALB/c (nu/nu) nude mice were used in vivo experiments. Results: The Drugs-NCs were spherical and uniform in size (103.4 nm). Besides, the encapsulation efficiencies of
oxaliplatin,
irinotecan, and
5-fluorouracil were 97.0%, 95.7%, and 15.6%, respectively. Moreover, drugs encapsulated in the
nanocapsules released less and was pH-dependent, with more rapid release being observed at pH 5.5 group compared with pH 7.4 group. MTT assay and in vivo experiments indicated the inhibitory effect of Drugs-NCs on malignant
tumors. Conclusion: The prepared
nanocapsules had potential
tumor targeting. Furthermore, coaxial capillary
microfluidic device could be used as a promising microfluidic technology to fabricate multiple Drug-NCs.