Paclitaxel-Loaded Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles for Lung Tumors: Formulation, Comprehensive In Vitro Characterization, and Release Kinetic Studies

Abstract

Objective: Today, cancer is still among the most common chronic diseases. Nanoparticular drug delivery systems prepared with biocompatible and biodegradable polymers such as polycaprolactone are rational solution for anticancer agents with poor solubility and low bioavailability. The aim of this study is to prepare paclitaxel-loaded polycaprolactone nanoparticles, which is known to be a potent anticancer, and to elucidate in vitro characteristics and release kinetic mechanisms. Material and Method: It was aimed to prepare paclitaxel-loaded polycaprolactone nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation. Preformulation studies were carried out with different molecular weights of polycaprolactone (Mw: 14.000, Mw: 80.000). Nanoparticles were coated with Chitosan or Poly-l-lysine to obtain cationic surface charge and to increase cellular interaction. Comprehensive characterization of formulations and release kinetic studies were performed. Result and Discussion: The particle size of the formulations ranged from 188 nm to 383 nm. Encapsulation efficiency increased to 77% in different formulations. SEM analysis confirmed the nanoparticles were spherical. Within the scope of in vitro release studies, the release continued for up to 96 hours and less than 50% of the therapeutic load was released in the first 24 hours. Mathematical modeling indicated that the release kinetics fit more than one model with the Korsmeyer-Peppas, Peppas-Sahlin and Weibull models, which show high correlation. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.