Inulin Stearate Self-assembly Micro-rod Containing Paclitaxel: Synthesis and In Vitro Cytotoxicity MTT Assay in HeLa Cell Line

Introduction Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, and its mortality rate is increasing rapidly. Drugs such as paclitaxel are used to treat this cancer. Unfortunately, the hydrophobic nature of this drug increases its side effects. Polymeric micro-rods are suitable carriers that can be used to transport hydrophobic drugs such as paclitaxel and release the drug in a slow and controlled manner. The aim of this study is to load paclitaxel onto polymeric inulin stearate micro-rods and evaluate these rods for physicochemical properties, drug release, and cytotoxicity. Materials and Methods Inulin was reacted with stearoyl chloride in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine until the inulin stearate was made and lyophilized after purification. Using dialysis method, paclitaxel was loaded onto polymeric micro-rods with two final formulations of 10 and 20%. The prepared rods were studied for surface charge, morphology, loading efficiency, drug release, and the effects of cytotoxicity on HeLa cell line. Results In water solvent and by dialysis method, inulin stearate interacts with paclitaxel and produces micro-rod with self-assembly approach. SEM images prove the structure of micro-rods. The surface charge of 10% and 20% rods were − 8.19 and − 10.5 mV, respectively. Percentage of drug loading for 10% was 6.33% and for 20% was 14.89%. Finally, evaluation of in vitro drug release showed a sustained and slow release of the drug. Analysis of drug release charts for the two formulations showed that 20% formulation is more suitable for slow drug release studies than 10%. Cytotoxicity results for the 20% formulation also showed that the IC 50 value for drug-loaded inulin stearate rods on the HeLa cell line was 3.1 μM. Conclusion In this study, inulin stearate rods containing paclitaxel (20%) exhibited good in vitro slow-release physicochemical properties.