Drug Delivery System of Paclitaxel using Lignin nanoparticles

Paclitaxel (PTX), a critical chemotherapeutic agent, faces major clinical limitations due to its poor aqueous solubility and the systemic toxicity caused by the conventional excipient, Cremophor EL. To overcome these issues, this study investigates the use of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) as a novel nanocarrier. Lignin, the most abundant aromatic biopolymer on Earth, was selected not only for its sustainability but also because its complex aromatic structure was considered potentially compatible with PTX, thereby serving as an effective carrier. Its intrinsic biocompatibility, antioxidant activity, and amphiphilic nature provide advantages for stabilizing and delivering hydrophobic drugs such as PTX, while offering a renewable alternative to petroleum-derived excipients. The primary objective was to compare PTX-loaded lignin nanoparticles (LNP-PTX) synthesized using the conventional solvent/antisolvent (S/A) batch method and an advanced microfluidic (MF) technique. Although the MF approach produced LNPs with superior structural quality and low polydispersity, it failed to achieve measurable PTX encapsulation despite extensive optimization, leading to its discontinuation. In contrast, the S/A method successfully encapsulated PTX, generating stable LNP-PTX with favorable physicochemical properties. The therapeutic potential of the LNP-PTX formulation will be validated through in vitro cell viability assays, designed to confirm that encapsulation preserves PTX’s cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines while enhancing formulation stability. Overall, the S/A method is established as a viable strategy for biomass-derived LNP-PTX carriers, laying the groundwork for safer, more effective, and sustainable cancer therapy.