Characterization and ex vivo evaluation of curcumin nanoethosomes for melanoma treatment. (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nair, Rajesh Sreedharan; Billa, Nashiru; Mooi, Lim Yang; Morris, Andrew P.
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical development and technology. Volume 27:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Curcumin -- melanoma -- nanoethosomes -- human skin -- permeation -- cytotoxicity; Drug delivery systems -- Periodicals; Pharmaceutical technology -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Administration -- Research -- Periodicals; Drug Delivery Systems -- Periodicals; Pharmaceutical Preparations -- Periodicals; Technology, Pharmaceutical -- Periodicals; 615
• DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2021.2023568
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1083-7450

Abstract

Abstract: This study aimed at developing curcumin nanoethosomes (Cur-Ets) with superior skin permeation intended for melanoma treatment. Although curcumin is active against many types of skin cancers, a suitable topical formulation is still lacking due to its hydrophobicity and poor skin permeation. The formulation was characterized using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), ATR-FTIR, DSC and XRD. In vitro skin permeation was carried out using human skin, and the cytotoxicity of the formulation was evaluated on human melanoma cells (SK-MEL28). The vesicle size and zeta potential of the Cur-Ets were determined as 67 ± 1.6 nm and −87.3 ± 3.3 mV, respectively. STEM and AFM analysis further support the size and morphology of the formulation. Curcumin's compatibility with formulation additives was confirmed by ATR-FTIR analysis. In addition, DSC and XRD analyses showed successful drug encapsulation in nanoethosomes. The drug encapsulation efficiency was determined as 87 ± 0.9%. The skin permeation of curcumin from Cur-Ets showed a superior flux (0.14 ± 0.03 µg cm −2 h −1 ) compared to the control ( p < 0.05). Cytotoxicity of the formulation demonstrated a time-dependent and concentration-dependent antiproliferative activity against melanoma cells. The developed Cur-Ets is suggested as a promising topical formulation for melanoma treatment.