BIODEGRADABLE PEGYLATED POLY[D, LLACTIDE-CO-GLYCOLIDE] NANOPARTICULATE CARRIER FOR DOCETAXEL : IN VITRO DEGRADATION MECHANISMS AND DRUG RELEASE KINETICS

Abstract

This study investigates in vitro degradation mechanisms of Docetaxel [an antineoplastic agent] [DTX] loaded PEGylated poly[d,l-lactide-co-glycolide] [PLGA] nanoparticles formulations. The degradation patterns of biodegradable nanoparticles [NPs] formulations were investigated in phosphate buffer saline at pH 5.0 and 7.4 media up to 6 weeks. It was characterized by changes in particle size and media pH, generated monomers [lactic and glycolic acid], liberated poly ethylene oxide moieties, changes in molecular weight, and drug release. Also, the influence of PEG moiety and its chain length of NPs were evaluated during the degradation. It was found that the rate of NPs degradation and drug release were higher in acidic medium, and suggests that the NP formulations could provide greater therapeutic efficaciousness at tumor sites.