Multifunctional targeting of docetaxel plus bakuchiol micelles in the treatment of invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer

Abstract

The invasion and metastasis of tumors pose significant challenges in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC), making it difficult to cure. One potential treatment approach that has gained attention is the use of matrix metalloproteinase reactive controlled release micelle preparations. In this study, we developed a novel PEG₅₀₀₀-PVGLIG-hyaluronic acid docetaxel/bakuchiol (PP-HA-DTX/BAK) micelles formulation with desirable characteristics such as particle size, narrow polydispersity index, and a ZETA potential of approximately -5 mV. The surface modification with HA facilitates tumor penetration into the tumor interior, while the incorporation of DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀-PVGLIG-PEG₅₀₀₀helps conceal DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀-HA, reducing off-target effects and prolonging drug circulation timein vivo. Bothin vitroandin vivoexperiments demonstrated that these micelles effectively inhibit proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of OC cells while promoting apoptosis. Therefore, our findings suggest that PP-HA-DTX/BAK micelles represent a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for treating OC.

Keywords: bakuchiol; docetaxel; invasion and metastasis; matrix metalloproteinases; ovarian cancer.