Dextran-PLGA-loaded docetaxel micelles with enhanced cytotoxicity and better pharmacokinetic profile

Docetaxel is one of the promising drugs and employed for the management of variety of cancers. However, challenges like poor-bioavailability, low tissue-permeability, compromised aqueous solubility and dose-dependent side-effects limit its clinical applications. Whereas, PLGA–based polymeric micelles possess the ability to enhance the tissue permeability of drugs and increase their biocompatibility. Henceforth, it was aimed to fabricate the dextran-PLGA-based polymeric-micelles loaded with docetaxel to explore the potential benefits in drug delivery. Dextran was chemically linked to PLGA and the linkage was confirmed by FT-IR, UV and NMR-spectroscopy. Critical-micelle-concentration of amphiphilic polymer was determined and drug was encapsulated by diffusion technique and erythrocyte compatibility. The system was evaluated for drug release profile and in vitro cytotoxicity studies. The pharmacokinetic profile was studied in rats. The micelles obtained were of 96.5 ± 2.5 nm and offered drug encapsulation of order of 54.85 ± 1.21%.The cytotoxicity of drug against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was enhanced by approx. 100%. The pharmacokinetic profile was substantially modified and about 16-folds enhancement in bioavailability was observed vis-à-vis plain drug. The approach was not only able to control the drug release, but also offered promise to enhance the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic potential of docetaxel and similar anticancer agents.