Poly(ether-ester anhydride)-based amphiphilic block copolymer nanoparticle as delivery devices for paclitaxel

This Letter focuses on the preparation and characterisation of a novel amphiphilic multiblock poly(ether-ester anhydride) copolymer [poly(sebacic acid-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-sebacic acid) (PES)], paclitaxel-loaded PES nanoparticles (NPs), in vitro evaluation of the release of paclitaxel and cytotoxicity of NPs. PES was prepared by melt polycondensation and the PES NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation technique. In vitro release behaviour of the paclitaxel-loaded NPs was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro cytotoxicity of NPs was evaluated by MTT assay. The composition and structure of PES are consistent with that of the designed copolymer. The paclitaxel-loaded NPs are of spherical shape and size lower than 200 nm. Paclitaxel can be continuously released from the paclitaxel-loaded NPs. The PES NPs are non-toxic to cells. The results suggest that PES NPs are a potential candidate nanocarrier material for the controlled delivery of paclitaxel and other hydrophobic compounds.