Preparation of liposomal nanocarrier by extruder to enhance tumor accumulation of paclitaxel

Despite the wide-spectrum and effective anti-cancer activity of paclitaxel (PTX), their low solubility and side effects are the main challenges in their clinical application. In this study, a model paclitaxel-encapsulated nanoliposome (NLips-PTX) carrier was synthesized to enhance PTX solubility and increase its passive accumulation at the tumor site. Soy lecithin and cholesterol at a 9:1 ratio were used to prepare the nano-sized liposomes through the thin-film hydration followed by extrusion technique. The prepared spherical NLips-PTX liposomes with an average size of about 150 nm and high uniformity were characterized by DLS and TEM. PTX load efficiency of NLips was determined at about 85% by HPLC. NLips-PTX also showed a therapeutic effect toward breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in a dose- and time-dependent manner via in vitro cellular uptake and a cytotoxicity study. This research indicates that extrusion is a simple and convenient method for nano-sizing and homogenising liposome suspension for potentially effective delivery of drug to target tumor sites.