Novel docetaxel-loaded nanoparticles based on PCL-Tween 80 copolymer for cancer treatment

Figures & data

Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the synthesis of PCL-Tween 80 copolymer.

Abbreviation: PCL, poly-ɛ-caprolactone.

Figure 2 Typical ¹H-NMR spectra of PCL-Tween 80 copolymer.

Abbreviations: PCL, poly-ɛ-caprolactone; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance.

Figure 3 Fourier transform infrared spectra of PCL-Tween 80 copolymer.

Abbreviation: PCL, poly-ɛ-caprolactone.

Figure 4 Thermogravimetric profiles of PCL-Tween 80 copolymer.

Abbreviation: PCL, poly-ɛ-caprolactone.

Table 1 Characterization of nanoparticles (n = 3)

Sample	Polymer	Theoretical drug loading	Size (nm)	PDI	ZP (mV)	EE (%)
ANP	PCL-Tween 80	10%	204.95 ± 3.66	0.201 ± 0.23	−20.14 ± 0.15	81.98 ± 2.61
BNP	PCL-Tween 80	0	192.45 ± 1.93	0.163 ± 0.17	−18.33 ± 0.31	0
CNP	PCL-Tween 80	*	217.36 ± 2.02	0.241 ± 0.09	−22.25 ± 0.29	Not shown
DNP	PCL	10%	258.48 ± 5.95	0.301 ± 0.15	−13.55 ± 0.19	71.44 ± 3.61
ENP	PCL	*	223.33 ± 3.33	0.236 ± 0.31	−16.26 ± 0.22	Not shown

* Note: Coumarin 6.

Abbreviations: PDI, polydispersity index; ZP, zeta potential; EE, encapsulation efficiency; ANP, PCL-Tween 80 nanoparticles; DNP, docetaxel-loaded PCL nanoparticles; BNP, drug-free PCL-Tween 80 nanoparticles; ENP, coumarin 6-loaded PCL nanoparticles; CNP, coumarin 6-loaded PCL-Tween 80 nanoparticles.

Figure 5 Field emission scanning electron microscopy image of docetaxel-loaded PCL-Tween 80 nanoparticles.

Abbreviation: PCL, poly-ɛ-caprolactone.

Figure 6 In vitro release profile of docetaxel-loaded PCL-Tween 80 nanoparticles and docetaxel-loaded PCL nanoparticles.

Abbreviations: PCL, poly-ɛ-caprolactone; NPs, nanoparticles.

Figure 7 Cellular uptake of coumarin 6-loaded PCL-Tween 80 nanoparticles and coumarin 6-loaded PCL nanoparticles by C6 cells after 2 hours of incubation.

Note: *P < 0.05.

Abbreviation: PCL, poly-ɛ-caprolactone.

Figure 8 Confocal laser scanning microscopy images of C6 cells after 2 hours of incubation with coumarin 6-loaded PCL-Tween 80 nanoparticles at 37.0°C. The cells were stained by DAPI (blue) and the coumarin 6-loaded nanoparticles are green. The cellular uptake was visualized by overlaying images obtained by green fluorescent protein filter and DAPI filter: left image from DAPI channel (A); center image from green fluorescent protein channel (B); right image from combined green fluorescent protein channel and DAPI channel (C).

Abbreviation: PCL, poly-ɛ-caprolactone.

Figure 9 Viability of C6 cells after 24 (A), 48 (B), and 72 (C) hours of cell culture with docetaxel formulated in ANP and DNP in comparison with Taxotere^® at the same docetaxel dose.

Note: n = 6, *P < 0.05.

Abbreviations: PCL, poly-ɛ-caprolactone; ANP, PCL-Tween 80 nanoparticles; DNP, PCL nanoparticles.