Development and Characterization of a Fucoidan-Based Drug Delivery System by Using Hydrophilic Anticancer Polysaccharides to Simultaneously Deliver Hydrophobic Anticancer Drugs

Fucoidan, a natural sulfated polysaccharide, which can activate the immune response and lessen adverse effects, is expected to be an adjuvant agent in combination with chemotherapy. Using natural hydrophilic anticancer polysaccharides to simultaneously encapsulate hydrophobic anticancer drugs is feasible, and a reduced side effect can be achieved to amplify the therapeutic efficacy. In this study, a novel type of fucoidan-PLGA nanocarrier (FPN-DTX) was developed for the encapsulation of the hydrophobic anticancer drug, docetaxel (DTX), as a drug delivery system. From the comparison between FPN-DTX and the PLGA particles without fucoidan (PLGA-DTX), FPNs–DTX with fucoidan were highly stable with smaller sizes and dispersed well without aggregations in an aqueous environment. The drug loading and release can be further modified by modulating relative ratios of Fucoidan (Fu) to PLGA. The (FPN 3-DTX) nanoparticles with a 10:3 ratio of Fu:PLGA displayed uniform particle size with higher encapsulation efficiency than PLGA NPs and sustained drug release ability. The biocompatible fucoidan-PLGA nanoparticles displayed low cytotoxicity without drug loading after incubation with MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Despite lower cellular uptake than that of PLGA-DTX due to a higher degree of negative zeta potential and hydrophilicity, FPN 3-DTX effectively exerted better anticancer ability, so FPN 3-DTX can serve as a competent drug delivery system.