Preparation of docetaxel-loaded nanomicelles and their anti-Lewis lung cancer effect in vitro

Abstract

Docetaxel-loaded nanomicelles were prepared in this study to improve the solubility and tumor targeting effect of docetaxel(DTX),and further evaluate their anticancer effects in vitro. PBAE-DTX nanomicelles were prepared by film-hydration method with amphiphilic block copolymer polyethyleneglycol methoxy-polylactide(PELA) and pH sensitive triblock copolymer polyethyleneglycol methoxy-polylactide-poly-β-aminoester(PBAE) were used respectively to prepare PELA-DTX nanomicelles and PBAE-DTX nanomicelles. The nanomicelles were characterized by physicochemical properties and the activity of mice Lewis lung cancer cells was studied. The results of particle size measurement showed that the blank micelles and drug-loaded micelles had similar particle sizes, ranging from 10 to 100 nm. The particle size of PBAE micelles was changed under weak acidic conditions, with good pH response. The encapsulation efficiency of the above two types of DTX-loaded nanomicelles determined by HPLC was(93.8±1.70)% and(87.2±4.10)%, and the drug loading amount was(5.3±0.10)% and(4.9±0.05)%,respectively. Furthermore,the DTX micelles also showed significant inhibitory effects on Lewis lung cancer cells by MTT assay, and pH-sensitive PBAE-DTX showed better cytotoxicity. The results of flow cytometry indicated that,the apoptosis rate of lung cancer Lewis cells was(20.72±1.47)%,(29.71±2.38)%,and(40.91±1.90)%(P<0.05) at 48 h after treatment in DTX,PELA-DTX,and PBAE-DTX groups. The results showed that different docetaxel preparations could promote the apoptosis of Lewis cells, and PBAE-DTX had stronger apoptotic-promoting effect. The pH-sensitive DTX-loaded micelles are promising candidates in developing stimuli triggered drug delivery systems in acidic tumor micro-environments with improved inhibitory effects of tumor growth on Lewis lung cancer.