Polymeric nanoparticle encapsulating Docetaxel for prolonged and targeted delivery to breast cancer

Abstract

Chitosan nanoparticles (HA-CHI-NP) containing docetaxel (DTX) were prepared, by ionotropic gelation method and further coupled with hyaluronic acid for targeting effect, in the treatment of breast cancer. Nanoparticles (NP’s) have been characterized for the particle size, stability and shape with the help of zeta sizer, zeta potential and SEM. NP’s were found to be spherical in shape and the size were around 97.36 ± 3.07 nm with 0.5 polydispersity index. NP’s were also characterized for FTIR, DSC and PXRD. The in-vitro drug release of plain DTX and docetaxel loaded chitosan nanoparticle (DTX-CHI-NP) revealed higher and prolonged release of drug from DTX-CHI-NP than with plain DTX. In-vitro cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay using MCF-7 cell lines at different concentration (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml) and time intervals (24, 48 and 72h). Higher inhibitory effect of DTX-CHI-NP was observed with an IC₅₀ value of approximately 2.18 µg/ml at 72h. The formulation was also assessed for pharmacokinetic profile, biodistribution and tumour inhibition effect