Synthesis and characterization of gold encapsulated and tamoxifen loaded PLGA nanoparticles for breast cancer theranostics

Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) is food and drug administration (FDA) approved biocompatible and biodegradable polymer and has been used in various therapeutic agents. Encapsulation of gold nanoparticles inside PLGA nanoparticles leads to scattering of electromagnetic waves that opens up new avenues for the imaging using X-rays. D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) is known to inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp) that is mainly responsible for drug efflux from the cells. In this regard, gold nanoparticles encapsulated and tamoxifen loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using TPGS as emulsifier for imaging and treatment of breast tumor.