Effect of different molecular weight and terminal group PLGA on docetaxel nanoparticles: characterization and cytotoxic activity of castration-resistant prostate cancer cells

Abstract

The choice of polymer and its compatibility with drug used determine the fate of nanoparticle in therapy. There has been limited sources about effect of resomer differentiation in nanoparticle related with physical and chemical properties and also biological activities of product. Therefore, we aimed to formulate docetaxel-loaded polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles with different molecular weights (Resomer 502 and 504) and terminal groups (Resomer 502H and 504H) and to investigate the effect of these resomers on nanoparticle character, prostate cancer, and healthy cells. Docetaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by single emulsion solvent evaporation method. Surface characterizations were carried out by zeta sizer and scanning electron microscopy. Encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release profiles, and cytotoxic activity were determined. Main effect on the surface morphology of nanoparticles was the molecular weight of the polymer. The groups with acid terminal function have higher encapsulation and reaction efficiency. In all formulations, in vitro release was observed after 334 h at pH 7.4 and 240 h at pH 5.6. Also, the groups with high molecular weight showed selective cytotoxicity. These resomers especially RG 504 and RG 504H have potential to be used as a low-dose and high-efficiency extended-release drug delivery system in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Keywords:

• docetaxel
• prostate cancer
• PLGA
• nanoparticle
• cytotoxicity
• polymer

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kahraman for his support during the zetasizer analysis phase.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research work was supported by a grant from the Gaziantep University Scientific Research Project Foundation (Project no: FEF.DT.19.35) and Council of Higher Education (CoHE) 100/2000 PhD Scholarship.