Abstract
Aim
To develop docetaxel (DT) and curcumin (CUR) co-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (DTCR-NLCs) for ratiometric co-targeting to non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells.
Methods
The DTCR-NLCs were developed by employing a high-pressure homogenisation technique and optimised by employing a rotatable central composite design response surface methodology (RCCD-RSM) via the design of experiments (DoE) approach.
Results
The optimised DTCR-NLCs had a particle size (D90) of 150.2 ± 5.2 nm, Pdi of 0.263 ± 0.15, zeta potential of +26.3 ± 5.2 mv. The % drug loading (% DL) of DT and CUR was observed to be 1.38 ± 0.98 and 2.99 ± 1.24, respectively. Dissolution studies depicted a pH-independent drug release (≈98% drug release at 144 h). The DTCR-NLCs were stable and haemocompatible. MTT cell viability assay of DTCR-NLCs demonstrated considerably increased cytotoxicity towards NCI-H460 cells.
Conclusions
The developed DTCR-NLCs heralds the future of an efficacious and safer Taxane therapy for NSCLC.
Acknowledgement
The authors are thankful to the Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India for providing the necessary facilities to generate the manuscript that is a part of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) research work of Ms. Shruti U. Rawal to be submitted to Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India. The authors are also grateful to Dr. Chetan Panchal, Associate Professor, Institute of Physics, M.S University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India for availing the cross-polarised microscopy facility.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no declarations of interest.