Optimisation of ethosomal nanogel for topical nano-CUR and sulphoraphane delivery in effective skin cancer therapy

Abstract

Aim: The optimisation and evaluation of ethosomal nanogel (NGs) for topical delivery in skin cancer.

Methods: The formulations were optimised by employing 3-factor, 3-level Box Behnken design for responses of vesicle size, and fluxes. They characterised in vitro and evaluated for drug release, permeation and retention, skin penetration of ethosome, electron microscopy, texture analysis, and in vitro cytotoxicity.

Results: The optimised formulation exhibited z-average 125.67 ± 10.43 nm, apparent zeta potential –17.1 ± 2.61 mV, average flux of drug loaded ethosome were 54.72 ± 5.45 and 59.83 ± 6.09 µg/cm²/h. Further, Rhodamine B loaded ethosome penetrated deeper up to 183.82 µm. The NGs texture analysis showed index of viscosity 225.45 g.s, firmness 209.34 g, cohesiveness –189.48 g, and consistency 59.45 g.s. The optimised ethosome NGs exhibited significant anti-cancer effect in B16-F10 murine tumour cell line (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Ethosomal NGs could be promising for skin cancer treatment.

Keywords:

• Nano-CUR
• sulphoraphane
• ethosome
• nanogel
• skin cancer
• Box–Behnken design

Acknowledgements

One of the authors (Kriti Soni) would like to acknowledge the DST-INSPIRE division for providing the INSPIRE fellowship. The authors are also thankful to Central Instrumental Facility (CIF) Laboratory, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India, to carry out the present research work.

Disclosure statement

The authors state that they do not have any conflict of interest associated with this manuscript.