Background Nanoparticles fabricated from the biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), are the most intensively investigated polymers for drug delivery systems. The objective of this study was to explore fully the development of a PLGA nanoparticle drug delivery system for alternative preparation of a commercial formulation. In our nanoparticle fabrication, our purpose was to compare various preparation parameters. Methods Docetaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by a single emulsion technique and solvent evaporation. The nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy for surface morphology, dynamic light scattering for size and zeta potential, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for surface chemistry, and high-performance liquid chromatography for in vitro drug release kinetics. To obtain a smaller particle, 0.2% polyvinyl alcohol, 0.03% D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), 2% Poloxamer 188, a five-minute sonication time, 130 W sonication power, evaporation with magnetic stirring, and centrifugation at 8000 rpm were selected. To increase encapsulation efficiency in the nanoparticles, certain factors were varied, ie, 2–5 minutes of sonication time, 70–130 W sonication power, and 5–25 mg drug loading. Results A five-minute sonication time, 130 W sonication power, and a 10 mg drug loading amount were selected. Under these conditions, the nanoparticles reached over 90% encapsulation efficiency. Release kinetics showed that 20.83%, 40.07%, and 51.5% of the docetaxel was released in 28 days from nanoparticles containing Poloxamer 188, TPGS, or polyvinyl alcohol, respectively. TPGS and Poloxamer 188 had slower release kinetics than polyvinyl alcohol. It was predicted that there was residual drug remaining on the surface from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Conclusion Our research shows that the choice of surfactant is important for controlled release of docetaxel.

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− Alnus japonica has been known to exert antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and immune response inhibitory effects. The aim of this study was to figure out the characteristics of extracts obtained with different extraction solvent such as water, 100% ethanol, 70% ethanol or 70% methanol because characteristic components such as oregonin and hirsutanone extracted from Alnus japonica might be essential for the biological activity. For this purpose, oregonin and hirsutanon of four extracts, index ingredient of Alnus japonica, were analyzed with HPLC and physicochemical studies such as SEM, particle size and zeta potential were conducted. In cell cytotoxicity study, extract of water showed the highest cytotoxicity among four extracts. In case of oregonin, 70% MeOH and water extracts showed high contents and in case of hirsutanone, all extracts showed similar contents except 70% EtOH extracts. The extract of 70% MeOH from Alnus japonica for both oregonin and hirsutanone appeared to have the highest content. Both oregonin and hirsutanone extracted from Alnus japonica using 70% methanol showed stability in pH 1.2.