Cytotoxicity Enhancement of Paclitaxel by Loading on Stearate-g-dextran Micelles on Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7

Abstract

Objective: Paclitaxel (PTX) is a chemotherapeutic agent used for treating breast cancer. The study aimed to prepare<br />PTX loaded dextran stearate (Dex-SA) and evaluate its efficacy against human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Methods:<br />Dex-SA/PTX micelles were prepared by dialysis method. The micelles size, zeta potential and particle size distribution<br />were measured by dynamic laser light scattering method. Amount of loaded PTX on the polymer measured by HPLC.<br />Release profiles of the drug from the micelles were obtained in buffer (phosphate pH=7.4). Then the cytotoxicity of blank<br />micelles, Dex-SA/PTX micelles and free PTX were evaluated in the MCF-7 cells by MTT method. Result: Loading<br />efficiency of PTX on the Dex-SA was measured about 84.24±9.07%. The smallest particles size was about 193.9±7.1<br />nm but the other formulation with larger particle size had better zeta potential (-33.5±6.74 mV). The drug release<br />from the micelles was slowly and reached steady state after about 12 hours. The cytotoxicity experiment showed that<br />Dex-SA/PTX micelles have more cytotoxicity compared to free PTX against MCF7 cell lines. Conclusions: Dex-SA<br />polymeric micelle is a suitable carrier for hydrophobic cytotoxic drugs such as PTX.