Formulation of paclitaxel using poly(ethylene glycol) grafted hollow silica

• Main Author: Liu, Hui Qi.
• Other Authors: Lu Xuehong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Nanostructured materials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/36186
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The aim of this project was to increase the drug loading capacity of Paclitaxel (PTX) in polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafted Hollow Silica (PEG-g-HSi). To realize this aim, suitable solvents including solvent mixtures being good solvent for PEG and with high saturated solubility of PTX were pursued. So different ratios of ethyl acetate and methanol were used and different drug loading durations were done. It was found out that ethyl acetate and methanol in a ratio of 5:2 with drug loading duration of 6 hours was able to achieve a high percentage of drug loading capacity of 10.6%. Then drug release profile of PTX loaded PEG-g-His was monitored, and it was showed that PEG-g-HSi was able to maintain a controlled release of PTX. In vitro cytotoxicity test using MTT assay was done in MCF-7 and U-87 MG cells. The results showed that PEG-g-HSi was non-toxic, but PTX-loaded PEG-g-HSi was able to kill cancer cells more effectively than free PTX. Further the interaction between the nanoparticles and the cells were also investigated using confocal fluorescence microscope. The results showed the internalization of the nanoparticles by the cells. Therefore, PEG-g-HSi will be an ideal candidate for formulation of better drug delivery system of PTX.