Core-shell structured gel-nanocarriers for sustained drug release and enhanced antitumor effect

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Paclitaxel (PTX) is a potent chemotherapy drug with limitations in delivery and side effects.
• Developing advanced drug delivery systems is crucial for improving therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.
• Nanocarriers offer potential for targeted delivery and controlled release of therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop temperature-sensitive, core-shell structured gel-nanocarriers (gel-NCs) for sustained paclitaxel (PTX) delivery.
• To utilize 12-hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) as an organic gelator for enhanced drug release properties.
• To evaluate the in vivo antitumor efficacy, biocompatibility, and toxicity of the developed gel-NCs.

Main Methods:

• Gel-nanocarriers (gel-NCs) were prepared using mechanical mixing and high-pressure homogenization.
• The gelation transition temperature (Tgel) of the liquid cores was optimized via a stirring method.
• Characterization included particle size, morphology, in vitro drug release, and in vivo studies in tumor-bearing mice.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared gel-NCs with an approximate size of 170 nm.
• Achieved gelation of liquid cores at 37°C using 3.75% (w/w) of 12-HSA.
• Demonstrated sustained drug release from gel-NCs due to core gelation.
• PTX-loaded gel-NCs showed enhanced tumor growth suppression compared to conventional nanocarriers.
• Exhibited better in vivo biocompatibility and no observed toxicity to healthy organs.

Conclusions:

• 12-HSA organogel-based nanocarriers are effective for sustained release of active compounds.
• These gel-NCs show promise for improving therapeutic outcomes in cancer treatment.
• The developed system offers a potentially safer and more effective alternative to conventional nanocarriers.