Application of TPGS in polymeric nanoparticulate drug delivery system

d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) has great potential in pharmacology and nanotechnology. The present work investigated the molecular behaviour of TPGS at the air–water interface, its effect on a model bio-membrane composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipid monolayer, and the interaction between the TPGS coated nanoparticles with the lipid model membrane. Paclitaxel loaded polymeric nanoparticles with TPGS as surfactant stabiliser were fabricated and characterised in terms of their drug incorporation capability and release kinetics. The result showed that TPGS exhibited notable effect on the surface properties of air–water interface as well as the lipid monolayer. The inter-particle force and the interaction between nanoparticles and lipid monolayer varied with the surface substance. The penetration of various nanoparticles into the model membrane indicated that an optimal balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity on nanoparticle surface is needed to achieve an effective cellular uptake of nanoparticles. The results also demonstrate that the drug incorporation capability and the release characteristics of drug-loaded nanoparticles can be influenced by surfactant stabiliser.