Title:Dual-purpose Injectable Doxorubicin Conjugated Alginate Gel Containing Polycaprolactone Microparticles for Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Therapy
Volume: 15
Issue: 5
Author(s): Vaishali Pawar, Vivek Borse, Riya Thakkar and Rohit Srivastava*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076,India
Keywords:
Alginate, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, doxorubicin, ibuprofen, in situ gel, polycaprolactone microparticles.
Abstract: Background: In situ gel formulations have been widely reported as a carrier for sustained
release delivery systems due to certain advantages such as targeted drug delivery, minimal invasiveness
and potent therapeutic activity.
Objective: Herein, in situ gel system for sustained release of doxorubicin and ibuprofen for anti-cancer
and anti-inflammatory activity is reported.
Method: Doxorubicin-conjugated alginate (dox-alg) gel was prepared using EDC-NHS chemistry and
loaded with ibuprofen encapsulated polycaprolactone (PCL) microparticles (dox-alg composite). PCL
microparticles were prepared by a solvent evaporation method (size 50 - 100µm). The gel was characterized
using SEM, FTIR, XRD and TGA analysis.
Results: Dox-alg composite gel showed good syringeability and gel formation properties. Burst release
was observed for both drugs within 24 h followed by sustained release till day 21. Doxorubicin released
from composite showed considerable cytotoxic effect. Cell uptake was confirmed by confocal microscopy
using MDA-MB-231 cells. Anti-inflammatory activity of ibuprofen released from composite gel
was compared with the free drug. An injection of dox-alg composite gel in the tissue would fill the void
created after tumor removal surgery, prevent the resuscitation of remnant cancerous cells and reduce
inflammation.
Conclusion: Thus, the dox-alg composite gel could be a potential agent for the dual anti-cancer and
anti-inflammatory therapy.