• PPT suppresses viability of paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and enhances PTX efficacy when combined.
• Combined PPT and PTX treatment induces apoptosis by increasing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved caspase-3/PARP, while decreasing survivin.
• PPT reduces inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, CCL2) and cancer stem cell markers (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, ALDH1, CD44), and inhibits NF-κB activity.
• The combination therapy impairs tumor sphere formation, indicating potential to overcome drug resistance by targeting CSCs and inflammation.