Conclusions
In this study, conjugated copolymers of NPAB/siRNA/PTX were successfully synthesized for targeted gene delivery to breast cancer cells. Their chemical structure was confirmed through NMR and FTIR analysis and magnetic properties determination. The results obtained from TEM and DLS revealed that the nanoparticles have spherical morphology, with the hydrodynamic diameter in the range between 100-150 nm, which is suitable for intravenous injection and in vivo applications. Invitro drug release showed a sustained release manner of PTX and siRNA, however the cumulative release of PTX is more than siRNA. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated no significant toxicity of unloaded nanoparticles on MCF-7 cells, however PTX/siRNA loaded nanoparticles caused significant toxicity. In addition, the ability NPAB to improve the transfection efficiency was confirmed through increased uptake of siRNA-FAM in MCF-7 cells via fluorescence microscopy imaging.