PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF A CHITOSAN HYDROGEL-BASED SLOW-RELEASE SYSTEM LOADED WITH DOCETAXEL AND EUPHORBIA MICROSCIADIA FOR BREAST CANCER THERAPY IN A MURINE MODEL

Objective: To develop and evaluate a thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel co-loaded with docetaxel and a standardized E. microsciadia extract for breast cancer treatment in a murine 4T1 model. Methods: The aerial parts of E. microsciadia were collected and identified. A chitosan hydrogel was prepared and loaded with docetaxel and Euphorbia extract. The morphological characteristics of the hydrogel were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently, the in vitro release profiles of docetaxel and Euphorbia extract from the hydrogel were determined. The antitumor efficacy of the prepared hydrogels was assessed in tumor-bearing mice by monitoring tumor size reduction, followed by histopathological examination of excised tumor tissues. Results: SEM confirmed hydrogel crosslinking with 5–10 µm pore sizes versus 10–20 µm in controls. Initial release of 60% of both agents occurred within 10 hours, reaching 80% by 72 hours. Docetaxel and E. microsciadia significantly reduced tumor volumes compared to control (p < 0.001). The combination treatment showed no significant difference from docetaxel alone (p > 0.05), suggesting no synergistic effect. Histology revealed that combination therapy (docetaxel + E. microsciadia) exhibited superior tumor suppression, with significant cell degeneration and necrosis compared to other treatments. Conclusion: The co-loaded thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel provides controlled release and effective in vivo antitumor activity. Lack of synergy warrants further optimization to enhance clinical relevance versus current docetaxel systems.