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Beta-carotene-Encapsulated Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (BC-SLNs) as Promising Vehicle for Cancer: an Investigative Assessment

  • Research Article
  • Theme: Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Strategies for Oral Drug Delivery
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Abstract

Beta-carotene (BC), a red-colored pigment found in plants and animals, is one of the most extensively investigated carotenoids due to its provitamin-A, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The anticancer activity of BC through oral administration is severely affected due to its low bioavailability and oxidative degradation. The present study aimed to formulate and characterize solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of BC for enhanced bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Beta-carotene-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (BC-SLNs) were prepared employing different combinations of glyceryl monostearate and gelucire. The characterization studies were performed for particle size, morphology, release behavior, and stability. BC-SLNs were also studied for in vitro cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) and pharmacokinetic studies in Wistar rats. The cytotoxicity studies confirmed that encapsulation of BC within the lipid bilayers of nanoparticles did not affect its anticancer efficacy. An improved anticancer activity was observed in BC-SLNs as compared to the free BC. BC-SLNs enhanced the bioavailability of BC on oral administration by sustaining its release from the lipid core and prolongation of circulation time in the body. Similarly, area under the curve (AUCtotal) enhanced 1.92-times more when BC was incorporated into SLNs as compared to free BC. In conclusion, solid lipid nanoparticles could be an effective and promising strategy to improve the biopharmaceutical properties of carotenoids for anticancer effects.

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Funding

This study received financial support from the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, in the form of Jaswant Singh Gill Pharma Research Fellowship.

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Author notes

  1. Ashay Jain and Gajanand Sharma contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-Centre of Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India

    Ashay Jain, Gajanand Sharma, Kanika Thakur & Om Prakash Katare

  2. Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandar Sindri, Dist. Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305 817, India

    Kaisar Raza

  3. Dr. S. S. Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014, India

    U. S. Shivhare & Gargi Ghoshal

Authors
  1. Ashay Jain
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  2. Gajanand Sharma
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  3. Kanika Thakur
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  4. Kaisar Raza
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  5. U. S. Shivhare
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  6. Gargi Ghoshal
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  7. Om Prakash Katare
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Gargi Ghoshal or Om Prakash Katare.

Ethics declarations

All the experimental procedures were carried out in accordance with institutional guidelines as indicated by the Institutional Animals Ethical Committee, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, with prior approval (PU/IAEC/S/15/05).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Guest Editor: Sanyog Jain

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Jain, A., Sharma, G., Thakur, K. et al. Beta-carotene-Encapsulated Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (BC-SLNs) as Promising Vehicle for Cancer: an Investigative Assessment. AAPS PharmSciTech 20, 100 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-019-1301-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-019-1301-7

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