Cancer chemotherapy: Effect of poloxamer modified nanoparticles on cellular function

The use of excipients with the ability to synergize the action of active pharmaceutical ingredients is highly recommended. Although a large spectrum of surfactants can be used in the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles, the poloxamer surfactants are currently being explored because they have been shown to preferentially target cancer cells as well as inhibit Multi-Drug Resistant proteins and other drug efflux transporters on the surface of cancer cells. The proper type and concentration of surfactant used plays a major role in the stability of the nanosuspensions. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of three different poloxamer surfactant (Pluronic F-108, pluronic F-127 and kolliphor P-188) and chitosan on the stability, immunogenicity, cytotoxicity of dasatinib nanoparticles, as well as cellular uptake of nanoparticles by various cell types. A combination of chitosan and the poloxamers enhanced stability of nanoparticles: average size was 190 ± 20 nm just after preparation, changing to 200 ± 40 nm after 28 days of storage. Uptake of dye-loaded nanoparticles into the cells was 1.5 times more than a solution with an equivalent amount of dye. The uptake of nanoparticles into all the cell lines used was highest for P-188 nanoparticles, whilst F-127 nanoparticles were the least taken up. Poloxamers were observed to be non-toxic to the cells, however, stimulation of cell growth was observed in some cases. The properties exhibited by the various poloxamers in this study could guide in the selection of an appropriate poloxamer for the formulation of nanoparticles.