Biocompatible microemulsion modifies the tissue distribution of doxorubicin
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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Preparation and Characterization of Lipophilic Doxorubicin Pro-drug Micelles
Published on: August 2, 2016
Caroline Damico Candido1, Michel Leandro Campos, Juliana Uruguay Correa Vidigal Assumpção
1Department of Natural Active Principles and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araraquara, 14801-902, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
The incorporation of doxorubicin (DOX) in a microemulsion (DOX-ME) has shown beneficial consequences by reducing the cardiotoxic effects of DOX. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of DOX-ME in Ehrlich solid tumor (EST) and the heart, and compare it with that of free DOX. The distribution study was conducted with female Swiss mice with EST (n = 7 per group; 20-25 g). Animals received a single dose (10 mg/kg, i.p.) of DOX or DOX-ME 7 days after tumor inoculation. Fifteen minutes after administration, the animals were sacrificed, and the tumor and heart tissues were taken for immediate analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. No difference was observed in DOX concentration in tumor tissue between DOX and DOX-ME administration. However, the most remarkable result in this study was the statistically significant reduction in DOX concentration in heart tissue of animals given DOX-ME. Mean DOX concentration in heart tissue was 0.92 ± 0.54 ng mg(-1) for DOX-ME and 1.85 ± 0.34 ng mg(-1) for free DOX. In conclusion, DOX-ME provides a better tissue distribution profile, with a lower drug concentration in heart tissue but still comparable tumor drug concentration, which indicates that antitumor activity would not be compromised.
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