Optimized PEGylated paclitaxel and 6-gingerol co-loaded liposomes induce G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast and A549 lung cancer cells

The study aimed to optimize and develop novel PEGylated co-loaded nanoliposome entrapped with paclitaxel (PTX) and 6-gingerol (Gn) (PEG-Lipo-PTX-Gn) by response surface methodology (RSM) approach to prevent the diffusion and resistant-related issues of PTX in oncotherapy. Physiochemical characterization studies results revealed that the prepared PEG-Lipo-PTX-Gn attained optimum particle size, shape, charge, polydispersity index (PDI) as well as showed synergistic entrapment of PTX and Gn, sustained drug release, better colloidal stability and structural integrity. PEG-Lipo-PTX-Gn exhibited a noteworthy antiproliferative effect, apoptotic percentage and a higher proportion of G2/M cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 and A549 cell lines. Meanwhile, no significant toxicity was observed in normal cell lines (HEK 293 kidney embryonic cells and L929 fibroblast cells). Another testament to its efficacy is the dramatic decline in Bcl-2 levels in the PEG-Lipo-PTX-Gn-treated group. Hence, optimized PEG-Lipo-PTX-Gn could be a promising novel approach in cancer treatment regimens.