Carboxymethyl-Chitosan-Tethered Lipid Vesicles: Hybrid Nanoblanket for Oral Delivery of Paclitaxel

We describe the development and evaluation of a hybrid lipopolymeric system comprising carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), covalently tethered to phosphatidylethanolamine units on the surface of lipid nanovesicles, for oral delivery of paclitaxel. The biopolymer is intended to act as a blanket, thereby shielding the drug from harsh gastrointestinal conditions, whereas the lipid nanovesicle ensures high encapsulation efficiency of paclitaxel and its passive targeting to tumor. CMC-tethered nanovesicles (LN-C-PTX) in the size range of 200-300 nm improved the gastro-intestinal resistance and mucoadhesion properties as compared with unmodified lipid nanovesicles (LN-PTX). Conjugation of CMC did not compromise the cytotoxic potential of paclitaxel yet facilitated the interaction and uptake of the nanovesicles by murine melanoma (B16F10) cells through an ATP-dependent process. CMC-conjugated nanovesicles, upon oral administration in rats, improved the plasma concentration profile of paclitaxel, with 1.5-fold increase in its bioavailability and 5.5 folds increase in elimination half life in comparison with Taxol. We also found that CMC in addition to providing a gastric resistant coating also imparted stealth character to the nanovesicles, thereby reducing their reticuloendothelial system (RES)-mediated uptake by liver and spleen and bypassing the need for PEGylation. In vivo efficacy in subcutaneous model of B16F10 showed significantly improved tumor growth inhibition and survival with CMC-tethered nanovesicles as compared with unmodified nanovesicles, both administered orally. LN-C-PTX exhibited therapeutic efficacy comparable to Taxol and Abraxane and also showed reduced toxicity and improved survival. Overall, these results suggest the therapeutic potential of CMC tethered nanovesicles as a platform for oral administration of paclitaxel and also unravel the ability of CMC to impart stealth character to the nanoparticles, thereby preventing their RES clearance.