In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Nanoparticles and Nanocapsules Obtained by Miniemulsion Polymerization for Drug Delivery Application

With the objective to develop a new drug delivery systems without secondary effects, this study evaluated in vitro cytotoxicity in fibroblast cells, macrophage uptake and hemocompatibility of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles and nanocapsules obtained by miniemulsion polymerization. PMMA nanoparticles and nanocapsules presented spherical morphology, mean size 102 +/- 4.2 nm and 211 +/- 3.8 nm and negative zeta potential -27 +/- 3.2 mV, -41 +/- 4.3 mV. In vitro cytotoxicity in fibroblast cells lines L929 and NIH-3T3 caused no significant reduction of cells viability, which, is critical regarding the biocompatibility of those carriers. Assay macrophages uptake showed that PMMA nanoparticles presented a significant increase (67%) in the phagocytic uptake, when compared with PMMA nanocapsules (44%), indicated that higher negative zeta potential and small mean size influenced in the macrophages uptake. Both polymeric systems, presented excellent blood biocompatibility. Finally, our results indicate, that these polymeric systems obtained by miniemulsion polymerization, have the potential to be used as drug delivery system in the treatment of diseases, in which, macrophages act as host cells.