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. 2025 Aug;20(16):1999-2011.
doi: 10.1080/17435889.2025.2535281. Epub 2025 Jul 30.

Formation and evaluation of docetaxel and triptolide polymer micelles for anti-cancer activity

Jingmei Zhou  1   2   3   4   5   6 , Min Lin  2 , Yan Mo  2 , Ruiyue Dang  2 , Jin Zhou  2 , Chengmin Li  7 , Xin Deng  1   2   8 , Alaa Aldeen Alsaeedi  2   3   4 , Yingqi Zhao  2 , Juan Huang  8 , Lijuan Ma  9 , Xueping Feng  2 , Yong Liu  3   4   5   6 , Yunyun Wang  3   4   5   6
Affiliations

Formation and evaluation of docetaxel and triptolide polymer micelles for anti-cancer activity

Jingmei Zhou et al. Nanomedicine (Lond). 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Aim: To develop docetaxel (DTX) and triptolide (TPL) polymer micelles (DTX/TPL-PMs) with synergistic anti-cancer effect and to evaluate their anti-cancer activity.

Methods: DTX/TPL-PMs were prepared by thin-film hydration. The drug loading (DL%), encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and cumulative release rate (CR%) were determined using HPLC. The anti-cancer activity was assessed using CCK-8, inverted microscopy, and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM).

Results: DTX/TPL-PMs exhibited the average particle size of 178.58 ± 1.66 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.102 ± 0.018 and a zeta potential of 1.19 ± 0.12 mV. These micelles showed a high EE% (89.43%) and a DL% (5.21%). In vitro release studies of DTX/TPL-PMs revealed that the loaded drug exhibited a slow-release phase in physiological fluids and a rapid-release phase under acidic conditions. Compared with the free DTX/TPL drugs, DTX/TPL-PMs were more readily taken up by cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of DTX/TPL-PMs was significantly higher than that of the free drugs, which showed stronger growth inhibitory effects and higher apoptosis rates in cancer cells.

Conclusion: The research results demonstrate that DTX/TPL-PMs enhance the therapeutic efficacy against malignancies, while reducing adverse effects. It holds potential as an effective nanotherapeutic for combination chemotherapy and represents a promising clinical strategy.

Keywords: Docetaxel; combination chemotherapy; nano delivery; polymer micelles; triptolide.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

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