Paclitaxel-loaded poly(glycerol-malate-dodecanedioate) nanoparticles for breast cancer treatment R. Mankamna Kumari, Nikita Sharma, Lacy Loveleen, Nidhi Gupta, Surendra Nimesh Volume 3, Issue 2

https://www.academia.edu/journals/academia-materials-science/articles?source=journal-top-nav Introduction: Polymeric nanoparticles have validated their stance in the field of drug delivery. One such polymer is PGMD, poly (glycerol-malate-dodecanedioate), a novel polymer that has been explored for its potential ability to deliver drugs for the treatment of breast cancer. Materials and methods: PGMD copolymers were synthesized at dodecanedioic acid-to-malic acid molar ratios of 7:3 and 6:4. These formulations were subjected to characterisation using dynamic light scattering (DLS), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release studies were performed. To investigate its anticancer properties, the nanoparticles were implemented for apoptosis analysis using Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, cell migration assay and western-blotting analysis. Results: The 6:4 formulation achieved a superior paclitaxel (PTX) encapsulation efficiency of 97%, compared to 64.5% for the 7:3 variant. Both formed stable, anionic nanocarriers, with the 6:4 nanoparticles exhibiting a hydrodynamic diameter of 188 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.367, and a zeta potential of −17.3 mV. In vitro assays revealed that the PTX-loaded 6:4 PGMD nanoparticles significantly inhibited breast cancer cell migration. Furthermore, the nanoparticles exhibited potent, time-dependent cytotoxicity, achieving a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 48 h in MCF-7 cells, demonstrating significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy compared to free PTX. Finally, morphological alterations (observed via DAPI and AO/EtBr staining) combined with Caspase-9 overexpression confirmed that this enhanced cytotoxicity is mechanistically driven by the targeted induction of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Conclusions: This study validates PGMD-based polymeric nanoparticles as a superior delivery vehicle for paclitaxel in breast cancer treatment. By outperforming the free drug and minimizing toxicity to healthy cells, these nanoparticles represent a highly promising, biocompatible platform for advanced oncological therapy. https://www.academia.edu/2997-2027/3/2/10.20935/AcadMatSci8311