| Abstract: |
Background/Objectives: According to the WHO, more than one million deaths of liver cancer patients will occur in 2030. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause
of death among all cancer types. Doxorubicin is commonly used for the treatment of HCC,
yet it possesses major side effects. The aim of this work was to formulate a nanoemulsion
of Peltophorum pterocarpum extract containing bergenin intended for intravenous injection
as a natural alternative to doxorubicin. Methods: The saturation solubility of the extract in
different oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants was determined. Surfactant to co-surfactant
mixtures (Smix) were used at six different weight ratios. A pseudoternary phase diagram
was constructed, and the ratio with the highest area was chosen. Six formulations were
prepared by changing the oil-to-Smix ratio. They were evaluated by percentage transmission, dilution test, self-emulsification, pH, viscosity, drug content, droplet size, PDI,
zeta potential, TEM, in vitro drug release, stability, in vitro hemolysis percentage, and
cytotoxicity (for the optimized formula). Results: F6 of oil-to-Smix ratio (1:6) was chosen
for further investigations, as it possesses the lowest droplet size, the highest zeta potential,
drug content, and in vitro drug release. The pH, viscosity, and self-emulsification time of F6
were also acceptable. F6 possesses shelf-life stability and is hemocompatible. It possesses
high cytotoxicity against the HepG-2 cell line (IC50 = 14.19 µg/mL). Conclusions: Although
the nanoemulsion is less potent than doxorubicin in terms of IC50, it offers a safer profile
and natural origin, which may be used for the treatment of HCC.
|
|
|