Optimized formulation of berberine hydrochloride loaded nanoemulgel for management of skin cancer

Abstract

Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent type of cancer worldwide. Herbal remedies have been utilized for medical treatment for millennia and may offer a number of advantages like reduced incidence of developed medication resistance and a greater therapeutic index. Hence, we aim to develop formulation of berberine hydrochloride (Brb) which has a potential anticancer effect due to its well-known ability to interact with nucleic acids. Brb-based nanoemulsion (Brb- NE) was prepared and optimized using the central composite design that showed an average particle size of 191.6 nm and a zeta potential of – 4.8 mV. Then, the prepared Brb-NE showed promising effects in-vitro cell studies including MTT assays which showed IC50 of Brb and Brb-NE were 255.36 µM and 189.53 µM respectively which proves the effectiveness of the Brb against skin cancer. Further, the optimized Brb-NE was incorporated in Carbopol 934 gel base to form Brb-NE gel. Later, rheology and Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) of Brb-NE Gel was also performed followed by an In-vitro drug permeation study which shows a controlled release pattern of Brb from prepared gel. Later, depth permeation by Confocal concluded that formed NE carriers could deliver drugs more efficiently to the skin. Then, dermatokinetic study revealed a better deposition pattern of Brb in epidermal and dermal layers by Brb-NE gel compared to Brb solution. Furthermore, no potential irritation effects of Brb-NE were observed during the HET-CAM (hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test) irritation study. Overall, the current investigation establishes that Brb-NE is one of the alternative herbal therapies for the treatment and management of skin cancer.