Utilization of green formulation technique and efficacy estimation on cell line studies for dual anticancer drug
Daulat Haleem Khan1, Sajid Bashir2, Alexandra Correia3
1College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan; Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland; Lahore College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 54000 Lahore, Pakistan.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to prepare niosome formulations for the simultaneous encapsulation, dual drug therapy, of two anticancer drugs by the ecological probe sonication method. Poloxamer and sorbitan monostearate were used as surface active agents in niosomes, and the water soluble doxorubicin and poorly-water soluble paclitaxel were used as anticancer drugs. Thorough physicochemical analysis were performed for the niosomes, and their cytotoxicity and activity were evaluated on MCF-7 and PC3-MM2 cancer cell lines. Prepared niosomes were small in size with sizes ranging from 137 nm to 893 nm, and entrapment efficiencies were high, ranging from 91.24% to 99.99%. During the four weeks stability testing, the particle size remained stable. The niosomal formulations showed in vitro sustained drug release profiles for doxorubicin and clearly increased the dissolution rate of poorly water soluble paclitaxel. The incorporation of both the drugs into niosomes improved cell penetration and antiproliferative activity of the drugs PC3-MM2 cell lines. As a conclusion, doxorubicin and paclitaxel loaded niosome formulations resulted in relatively stable, small sized niosomes with improved drug release profiles, low toxicity, better cell penetration and antiproliferative activity. The niosomes showed synergistic effect due to the presence of both drugs, which can overcome multidrug resistance.
Insights
This study developed stable niosome formulations for dual anticancer drug delivery, enhancing drug release, cell penetration, and antiproliferative activity for improved cancer therapy. These niosomes demonstrated a synergistic effect, potentially overcoming multidrug resistance.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Oncology
Background:
- Niosomes offer a promising drug delivery system for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
- Simultaneous delivery of multiple anticancer agents can improve treatment outcomes and overcome resistance.
- Developing stable and efficient niosomal formulations for poorly water-soluble drugs remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize niosome formulations for the simultaneous encapsulation of doxorubicin and paclitaxel.
- To evaluate the physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release, cytotoxicity, and cell penetration of the developed niosomal formulations.
- To assess the synergistic effect and potential of these dual-drug loaded niosomes in overcoming multidrug resistance.
Main Methods:
- Niosome preparation using the ecological probe sonication method with poloxamer and sorbitan monostearate.
- Physicochemical characterization including particle size analysis and entrapment efficiency determination.
- In vitro drug release studies, cytotoxicity assays on MCF-7 and PC3-MM2 cancer cell lines, and stability testing.
Main Results:
- Niosomes were successfully prepared with small particle sizes (137–893 nm) and high entrapment efficiencies (91.24–99.99%).
- Formulations exhibited good stability over four weeks and demonstrated sustained in vitro release of doxorubicin and enhanced dissolution of paclitaxel.
- Niosomal delivery improved cell penetration and antiproliferative activity, showing a synergistic effect against cancer cell lines.
Conclusions:
- Doxorubicin and paclitaxel loaded niosomes are stable, small, and exhibit improved drug release, cell penetration, and antiproliferative activity.
- The dual-drug loaded niosomes demonstrate a synergistic effect, offering a potential strategy to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer therapy.
- Ecological probe sonication is an effective method for preparing dual-drug loaded niosomes for enhanced cancer treatment.
