Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of tamoxifen loaded PLA nanoparticles for breast cancer

This study was carried out to assess the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of tamoxifen (Tmx) loaded poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles (Tmx-NPs) for breast cancer. An in vivo study was conducted to determine the effect of Tmx-NPs on DMBA induced mammary tumor in female Wistar rat. The experimental results showed that the mean diameter of Tmx-NPs was 224 ± 3 nm with 68 ± 2% (w/w) of entrapment efficiency. In in vivo study, the tumor size in rat was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) by treating Tmx-NPs as compared to pure Tmx and untreated group (control DMBA). Tmx-NPs showed the marked reduction in hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity when compared to pure Tmx as evidenced by histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues as well as estimation of AST, ALT levels, and creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen levels. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation was estimated in spleen, liver and kidney and was found significantly high in pure Tmx treated group as compared to Tmx-NPs and control group. Immunological parameters like blastogenic response of splenocytes, TLC, DLC were studied and found significantly high in pure Tmx treated group but the variations were nonsignificant in Tmx-NPs group as compared to control. Thus, Tmx-NPs have significant therapeutic efficacy with reduced side effects.