International Journal of Nanomedicine (Oct 2018)
Pure paclitaxel nanoparticles: preparation, characterization, and antitumor effect for human liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells
Abstract
Chao Wu,1 Yu Gao,2 Ying Liu,1 XiaoYan Xu1 1Pharmacy School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, People’s Republic of China Introduction: Pure paclitaxel nanoparticles (PPN), consisting entirely of drug molecules, were prepared by the electrostatic spraying method as promising candidates for antitumor application. Compared with the traditional preparation method, the advantage of the electrostatic spraying method included high production rates, relatively small particle sizes, and ease of preparation.Materials and methods: Paclitaxel was used to prepared PPN by electrostatic spray. The electrostatic spray device included a constant speed pump with a syringe, a high-voltage power supply, and a metal foil receiver was used to prepare and evaluate PPN. The syringe drew off a certain amount of paclitaxel chloroform solution (150 µg/mL) and was placed on the constant speed injection pump. The dissolution behavior of PPN was evaluated by dissolution test and the presence of paclitaxel in PPN was detected by X-Ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Effect of PPN on SMMC-7721 cells were studied by cell uptake, cell apoptosis and antitumor study.Results: The results of X-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry characterization showed that the PPN were in an amorphous state. A dissolution study indicated that PPN have a significantly enhanced dissolution rate of paclitaxel. Moreover, SMMC-7721 tumor cells treated with PPN exhibited a distinctly high uptake rate that promoted cell apoptosis. An in vivo antitumor study demonstrated that PPN had significant antitumor efficacy. Conclusion: All conclusions verified that electrostatic spraying is a potential technology for developing PPN, and PPN can be regarded as a promising treatment for cancer. Keywords: electrostatic spraying, paclitaxel, SMMC-7721 cells, poorly water soluble drug, dissolution
