PH sensitive lipid polymeric hybrid nanoparticle (LPHNP) of paclitaxel and curcumin for targeted delivery in breast cancer

Abstract

Objective The study aimed at designing a pH sensitive Lipid polymeric Hybrid nanoparticle (LPHNP) for targeted release of Paclitaxel (PTX) and Curcumin (CUR) in breast cancer. Significance Such systems shall result in controlled triggered release in acidic microenvironment of tumor cells with improved pharmacokinetic profile. Methods Chitosan-coated CUR and PTX coloaded pH-sensitive LPHNPs were synthesized employing nanoprecipitation technique. The synthesized NPs were characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and morphology. Results LPHNPs co-loaded with curcumin (CUR) and paclitaxel (PTX) were successfully formulated, achieving a size of 146 nm, a PDI of 0.18, and an entrapment efficiency exceeding 90%. In vitro release studies demonstrated controlled release of CUR and PTX under tumor pH conditions showing 1.6 fold and 1.7 fold higher release in ABS pH 5 in comparison to PBS 7.4 for PTX and CUR respectively. MTT-assay studies revealed enhanced cytotoxicity of CUR and PTX as LPHNPs showing IC50 value of free CUR & PTX 480.06 µg/mL decreasing to 282.97 µg/mL for CS-CUR-PTX-LPHNPs. In vivo pharmacokinetic evaluations in rats confirmed significantly improved bioavailability, with a 3.8-fold increase in AUC for CUR and a 6.6-fold increase for PTX. Additionally, the LPHNPs demonstrated controlled release and prolonged retention, evidenced by a 2.2-fold increase in the half-life (t1/2) of CUR and a 1.3-fold increase in the half-life of PTX. Conclusions: The results underscores potential of chitosan-coated LPHNP as a promising delivery platform, offering high drug loading, optimal size for cellular penetration, and prolonged blood circulation for cancer.