Development of implantable drug delivery system of embelin for the treatment of breast cancer

Abstract

Embelin is a traditional herbal medicine that exhibits anti-cancer effects in human breast cancer cells. However, the therapeutic effect of Embelin as Implantable Drug Delivery System is not yet determined. Embelin is having drawbacks like poor bioavailability and toxicity in systemic circulation, so we opt for Implantable Drug Delivery System. In this study, we optimised, developed and evaluated the Implantable Drug Delivery System of Embelin as pellets. The prime objective of the study is to prolong the drug release as much as possible using a combination of naturally occurring biodegradable polymer such as Guar gum, Chitosan, Xanthan gum, Locust bean gum. In this study, integration of Embelin and Chitosan was achieved via Granulation, with the aid of Guar gum as an excipient, followed by Extrusion /spheronisation. In vitro drug release study revealed the chitosan blended Embelin loaded implant possesses a longer, yet steadier, sustained drug release behaviour than the other three bio polymeric implants. It exhibits prolonged drug release of up to nine days and Korsmeyer’s-peppas plot were exhibited.