ABSTRACT
The main aim of this study was to develop and evaluate nanoparticulate system of paclitaxel loaded polymeric biodegradable Poly (ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles for targeting to neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors in mice. Nanoparticles were prepared by simple emulsion technique having surface modification with pluronic F-68. All formulations were evaluated for particle shape and size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro drug release. Radiolabelling of nanoparticles with (99m)Tc was done for scintigraphy and biodistribution studies. Cytotoxicity studies were performed on BON-1 cell line using MTT cell proliferation assay. The in vivo tumor inhibition study was performed after i.v. administration of paclitaxel nanoparticles. Our results showed that optimized nanoformulation was found to have size range from 100 ± 0.03 nm to 250 ± 0.06 nm with smooth spherical shape. Negative zeta potential value confirmed the surface modification and stability of nanoformulations. The amount of drug released after 24h from the formulation was found to be 73.3% ± 2.7%. More pronounced cytotoxicity was found with nanoparticulate formulation as compared with paclitaxel. The PCL-Ptx nanoparticles reduced tumor volume significantly in comparison with paclitaxel. Higher concentration of Ptx-NPs were found in tumor which was also revealed by high quality scintigraphic image of BON-1 tumor bearing mouse model. In conclusion, polymeric nanoparticulate formulation of paclitaxel was very much efficient for chemotherapy of human pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in mice.
