Synthesis and Biocompatibility of Carboplatin-Loaded PEG-PLGA Nanoparticles for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Cancer Therapy

Abstract Purpose Biocompatibility is a critical requirement for nanoparticle-loaded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) used in targeted cancer therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the compatibility of carboplatin-loaded PEG–PLGA nanoparticles (CRB@PEG–PLGA) with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs). Methods CRB@PEG–PLGA nanoparticles were synthesized using a double emulsion solvent evaporation method and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Isolated ADSCs were validated by surface marker expression and differentiation assays. Nanoparticle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and drug loading capacity (LC) were determined. Biocompatibility was assessed using a 24-hour MTT assay at increasing concentrations up to 7000 ng/mL. Results The nanoparticles exhibited a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 181.3 ± 9.07 nm, a zeta potential of − 14.1 ± 0.71 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 66.4 ± 3.6%, and a drug loading capacity of 16.5 ± 5.8%. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis demonstrated that ADSCs treated with CRB@PEG–PLGA maintained approximately 64.86% viability at the highest tested concentration, showing significantly improved biocompatibility compared to free carboplatin. Drug-free PEG–PLGA nanoparticles exhibited minimal cytotoxicity. Conclusion CRB@PEG–PLGA nanoparticles demonstrate favorable physicochemical properties and acceptable biocompatibility with ADSCs, supporting their potential application as a carrier platform in MSC-based targeted cancer therapy.