DEVELOPMENT OF NANOPARTICLE FORMULATIONS LOADED WITH PHYTOCHEMICALS LIKE BERBERINE FOR ENHANCED ANTICANCER ACTIVITY

ABSTRACT
Background: The natural isoquinoline alkaloid Berberine (Brb) has strong
multi-pathway anticancer activity which is severely limited by low aqueous
solubility, rapid metabolism, and poor oral bioavailability. Purpose: The
research paper assesses the design and effectiveness of several
nanotechnology-based delivery systems that can be used to address these
pharmacokinetic barriers. Techniques: High-pressure homogenization and
ionic gelation were used in the preparation of various nanocarriers, such as the
PLGA nanoparticles, phospholipid complexes, and the nanoparticles of smart
pH- responsive ZnO -chitosan (Brb-ZnO-CS). The formulations were size
characterized, zeta potential characterized and drug loading was performed
and in vitro release and cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cell
lines were performed. Findings: Nanoformulations had a sub-200 nm size
range and good encapsulation efficiencies (maximum of 92.5%). In vitro
evidence indicated an increase in cytotoxicity by 3.5 by Brb-ZnO-CS NPs.