Calycosin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: In-vitro and in-vivo evaluation for enhanced anti-cancer potential

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore the suitability of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with a model drug calycosin for the treatment of breast cancer. NLCs were synthesized via nano-template engineering method using miglyol as liquid lipid, stearic acid as solid lipid, Tween 80, Span 60, PEG 400 and sucrose stearate as surfactants followed by loading with the model drug calycosin. NLCs were analyzed by size, poly-dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, surface morphology, drug entrapment and loading capacity, stability, and drug release studies. Moreover, cell line studies were conducted on MDA-MB-231 cells using flow cytometry to evaluate apoptosis and cytotoxic potential via resazurin assay. Furthermore, in-vivo studies were performed to confirm the anti-cancer effect of calycosin. Drug-loaded NLCs exhibited a mean particle size of 100 nm, PDI of 0.27, zeta potential of −24.5 mV, spherical in shape, 89% drug encapsulation, and 6.5% drug loading capacity. Drug-loaded NLCs were found stable and exhibited a sustained drug release. Cell line studies showed enhanced apoptosis and time and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect of drug-loaded NLCs. Moreover, in-vivo studies including different biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the enhanced anti-cancer potential of calycosin-loaded NLCs. Based on all the above-mentioned findings, it can be concluded that calycosin-loaded NLCs are ideal nanocarriers for the delivery of anti-cancer drugs.