Docetaxel and curcumin-containing poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) polymer micelles

Abstract

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) prepared from poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly (ε-caprolactone) (PEG–PCL) were fabricated by the modified nanoprecipitation method with and without sonication to entrap docetaxel (Doc) and curcumin (Cur). NPs were characterized in terms of morphology, size distribution, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency and cytotoxicity. The particles have a ∼45–80 nm mean diameter with a spherical shape. The cellular uptake of the NPs was observed after 2 and 4 h of incubation by fluorescence of curcumin loaded with docetaxel. The cell viability was evaluated by an [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay on the Hela cell line. Doc and Doc–Cur NPs had higher cytotoxicity and a much lower IC50 value compared with free Doc or Cur after 24 and 48 h of incubation. Doc and Cur incorporated into the PEG–PCL NPs had the highest cytotoxicity in comparison with all other NPs and may be considered as an attractive and promising drug delivery system for cancer treatment.