Soluplus ^® /TPGS mixed micelles for co-delivery of docetaxel and piperine for combination cancer therapy

Abstract

In this study, mixed micelles of Soluplus^® and TPGS were developed for co-administering docetaxel (DTX) and piperine (PIP) for exerting the synergistic effect, which increased the cytotoxicity and improved the anti-cancer activity in HepG2 cell lines compared to free DTX. These <i>in vitro</i> (MTT assay, intracellular uptake of micelles) and <i>in vivo</i> (pharmacokinetic study, immunostaining, TUNEL analysis) studies exhibited the advantages of co-delivery of anticancer drugs with Soluplus^®/TPGS by mixed micelles and furthermore established that co-delivery of DTX and PIP <i>via</i> the mixed micelles of Soluplus^®/TPGS could be a promising strategy for the treatment of liver cancer.