Encapsulation of Quercetin in a Mixed Nanomicellar System to Enhance its Cytotoxicity against Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract The therapeutic potential of quercetin‐loaded Pluronic® F‐127 (PF‐127)/Tween 80 mixed nanomicelles as a passive targeted drug delivery system for breast cancer therapy is evaluated. Quercetin‐loaded mixed nanomicelles with different mass ratios of drug/PF‐127/Tween 80 were prepared by thin‐film hydration method. The physical interactions of quercetin with PF‐127 and Tween 80 in an optimal ratio were investigated. The results of in vitro drug release experiments showed that the mixed micellar system exhibits a prolonged and sustained release behavior compared to the solution of free quercetin. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies of quercetin‐loaded mixed nanomicelles on breast cancer cells revealed that the encapsulated drug has a lower half‐maximal inhibitory concentration ( IC 50 ) value compared to the free drug.