Preparation and in-vitro evaluation of poly (ε-caprolactone) - poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL-PEG-PCL) nanoparticles containing 5-fluorouracil

Abstract

Therapeutic strategies used to treat cancer are focused on cytotoxic drugs as the main form of chemotherapy. Recently chemotherapy based on nano-carriers has been widely used to treat cancer. Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles that are sensitive to temperature and pH are synthesized for effective and targeted drug delivery of anti-cancer compounds and their physicochemical properties have been studied. The use of nanoparticles that are sensitive to temperature and pH can result in targeted drug delivery to specific cells in the body, which leads to increased therapeutic effects, reduced side effects and reduced doses, and ultimately improves the physicochemical properties of the drug.

Purpose Synthesis and investigation of 5-fu release from biodegradable polymers based on Poly ε -Caprolacton – Polyethylen glycol–Poly ε -caprolacton copolymer(PCL-PEG-PCL).

Materials and Methods (PCL-PEG-PCL) Copolymer was synthesized and nanoparticles containing 5-fluorouracil were prepared by dual emulsion W/O/W. The morphology and size of the nanoparticles were determined by SEM method. The percentage of Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading was calculated. The rate of drug release at T=37 °C and pH= 7.4 and T=40 °C and pH=5.7 investigated and were compared. Findings The results showed that the percentage of drug encapsulation efficiency was EE=58.32% and drug loading percentage DL=5.79% the nanoparticle size was measured to be about 200 nm, drug release is dependent to temperature and pH at T=40 °C and pH=5.7 about 57% of the drug within 10 days released.

Conclusion Copolymers (PCL-PEG-PCL) nanoparticles containing 5-FU with acceptable Drug Loading rates can release the drug gradually and depending on temperature and pH, and is effective in drug delivering targeted to cancer cells.