Enhanced efficacy of ß-carotene loaded solid lipid nanoparticles optimized and developed via central composite design on breast cancer cell lines.

ß-carotene is obtained from both plants and animals and has been the subject of intense research because of its provitamin-A, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Its limited absorption and oxidative degradation significantly reduce its antitumor efficacy when taken orally. In our study, we utilize a central composite design to develop "bio-safe and highly bio-compatible" solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) by using only the combination of palmitic acid and poloxamer-407, a block co-polymer as a surfactant. The current research aim to develop and characterize SLNs loaded with ß-carotene to improve their bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. In addition, the improved cytotoxicity of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with ß-carotene was screened in-vitro in human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7). The nanoparticles exhibits good stability, as indicated by their mean zeta potential of -26.3 ± 1.3 mV. The particles demonstrated high drug loading and entrapment capabilities. The fabricated nanoparticle's prolonged release potential was shown by the in-vitro release kinetics, which showed a first-order release pattern that adhered to the Higuchi model and showed a slow, linear, and steady release over 48 h. Moreover, a diffusion-type release mechanism was used to liberate ß-carotene from the nanoparticles. For six months, the nanoparticles also showed a notable degree of physical stability. Lastly, using the MTT assay, the anti-cancer properties of ß-carotene-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles were compared with intact ß-carotene on MCF-7 cell lines. The cytotoxicity tests have shown that the encapsulation of ß-carotene in the lipid bilayers of the optimized formulation does not interfere with the anti-cancer activity of the drug. When compared to standard ß-carotene, ß-carotene loaded SLNs showed enhanced anticancer efficacy and it is a plausible therapeutic candidate for enhancing the solubility of water-insoluble and degradation-sensitive biotherapeutics like ß-carotene.

Evaluation of novel microcrystalline cellulose from Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) Cheesman biomass as sustainable drug delivery biomaterial.

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is one of the most important functional excipient in Pharmaceutical industries. A renewable biomass from Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) was investigated as a potential source of a novel functional MCC. MCC was prepared by a simple, dilute acid hydrolysis and characterized through FTIR, DSC, XRD, along with micromeritic studies. Functional properties such as packing, rearrangement, consolidation and compactibility of the prepared MCC were also evaluated in view of its application as drug delivery biomaterial. Results suggest that the prepared MCC exhibit properties comparable to commercially available standard MCC. From Kawakita and Heckel plots, it was observed that the new MCC consolidates better than the standard MCC. Disintegration efficiency test also indicates that the novel MCC functions as a better tablet disintegrant to the standard MCC indicating the potential of Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) as a green resource for preparation of the low cost, functional and sustainable carbohydrate polymer.

Taro starch (Colocasia esculenta) and citric acid modified taro starch as tablet disintegrating agents.

The objective of the present work is to study the physicochemical and functional properties of taro starch (Colocasia esculenta) and to further modify the starch by treating with citric acid to obtain a novel functional material. DSC, FTIR and SEM studies were performed along with physicochemical analysis. The disintegrant efficiency ratio and dissolution efficiency were determined on paracetamol tablets prepared by wet granulation taking the starch as a binder-disintegrant. The moisture content and ash values of taro and citrate taro starches were about 13% and 0.5% respectively. The average particle size of taro starch was found to be 1.53 µm and citration was not found to cause significant changes in the particle size. Results from disintegration efficiency study showed that both the taro and citrate modified taro starch showed tablet disintegrant property and even performed better than the standard corn starch. The reduced disintegration time was also found to enhance dissolution of the model drug from the tablet.