Targeted poly (l-γ-glutamyl glutamine) nanoparticles of docetaxel against folate over-expressed breast cancer cells

A novel folate (FA) conjugated poly(l-γ-glutamyl glutamine) (PGG) nanoparticle loaded with docetaxel (DTX) was prepared to take advantage of both targeted drug delivery in breast cancer and reducing the overall side effects due to the adjuvant free formulation in comparison with Taxotere®. Nanoprecipitation method was employed to prepare nanoparticles (NPs). The chemical structure of PGG synthesized polymers and PGG-FA conjugates and polymeric nanoparticles were characterized by H NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The average size of optimized nanoparticles with the aid of Box–Behnken experimental design was 131.96 ± 5.34 (nm) with polydispersity of 0.089 ± 0.019, zeta potential of −25.8 ± 2.21 (mV), and entrapment efficiency of 67.83 ± 3.29(%). In vitro cytotoxicity of the designed NPs was investigated by MTT assay against three chosen cell lines of MCF7, 4T1, and A549 based on their folate receptor expression capacity and was compared with Taxotere®. Moreover, PGG-FOL NPs were loaded with 6-coumarin for cellular uptake investigation. In order to assess the antitumor efficacy and biodistribution of targeted NPs, 4T1 murine breast tumors were established on the balb/c mice and in vivo studies were performed. The obtained results showed that the novel designed system was highly effective against tumor cells and successfully localized in the tumor site.

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