Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles: preparation, characterization, and application in doxorubicin delivery

J Phys Chem B. 2009 Oct 1;113(39):12928-33. doi: 10.1021/jp905781g.

Abstract

Biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL/PEG) copolymer nanoparticles showed potential application in drug delivery systems. In this article, monodisperse poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL/PEG/PCL, PCEC) nanoparticles, approximately 40 nm, were prepared by solvent extraction method using acetone as the organic solvent. These PCL/PEG/PCL nanoparticles did not induce hemolysis in vitro and did not show toxicity in vitro or in vivo. The prepared PCL/PEG/PCL nanoparticles were employed to load doxorubicin by a pH-induced self-assembly method. In vitro release study indicated that doxorubicin release from nanoparticles at pH 5.5 was faster than that at pH 7.0. The encapsulation of doxorubicin in PCL/PEG/PCL nanoparticles enhanced the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin on a C-26 cell line in vitro. Meanwhile, compared with free doxorubicin, doxorubicin in nanoparticles could more efficiently treat mice bearing subcutaneous C-26 tumors. The doxorubicin-loaded PCL/PEG/PCL nanoparticles might be a novel doxorubicin formulation for cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / chemistry*
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / toxicity
  • Cell Line
  • Doxorubicin / chemistry*
  • Doxorubicin / toxicity
  • Drug Carriers
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Drug Carriers
  • Polyesters
  • polycaprolactone
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Doxorubicin