This study compared a new type of polysaccharide-coated magnetic nanoparticles (in which the polysaccharide is derived from Angelica sinensis) with the dextran magnetic nanoparticles in terms of preparation, biocompatibility and tissue distribution in vivo and in vitro in order to examine the potential application of Angelica polysaccharide as a novel carrier in magnetic drug targeting (MDT). Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by chemical co-precipitation. Their physical and chemical properties were determined by using the transmission electron microscope (TEM), laser particle size analyzer (DLS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and their purity and structure by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The atomic absorption spectrometric method was performed for quantification of the iron content in different tissues. Histological sections were stained by Prussian blue staining to observe the disposition of magnetic nanoparticles in the liver and kidney. The results showed that both kinds of magnetic nanoparticles possessed small particle size, good dispersion and good magnetic properties. XRD showed the main component of the two magnetic nanoparticles was Fe(3)O(4) crystals, and FTIR proved Fe(3)O(4) was successfully coated by each polysaccharide, respectively. In vivo, Fe(3)O(4)-dextran accumulated in the liver, spleen and lung and Fe(3)O(4)-Angelica polysaccharide only in the spleen and lung. It was concluded that Angelica polysaccharide may be applied as a novel carrier in the preparation of magnetic nanoparticles.