Development of NIPAAm-PEG acrylate polymeric nanoparticles for co-delivery of paclitaxel with ellagic acid for the treatment of breast cancer

Abstract The aim of the current study was to develop a dual-loaded core shell nanoparticles encapsulating paclitaxel (PTX) and ellagic acid (EA) by membrane dialysis method. Based on particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficiency, the dual drug-loaded nanoparticles (F2) was optimized. The optimized nanoparticles (F2) showed a particle size of 140±2 nm and a PDI of 0.23±3. The size and the morphology were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and found agreement with the results of dynamic light scattering. The entrapment efficiencies of total drug (PTX and EA), PTX, and EA in the nanoparticles (F2) were measured as 80%, 62.3%, and 37.7%, respectively. The in vitro release profile showed a controlled release pattern for 48 h. A higher cytotoxicity was observed with nanoparticles (F2) in comparison to free PTX. The results revealed that co-delivery of PTX and EA could be used for its oral delivery for the effective treatment of breast cancer.