Background: Quercetin (QCT), a naturally occurring flavonoid has a wide array of pharmacological properties such as anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. QCT has low solubility in water and poor bioavailability, which limited its use as a therapeutic molecule. Polymeric micelles (PMs) is a novel drug delivery system having characteristics like smaller particle size, higher drug loading, sustained drug release, high stability, increased cellular uptake and improved therapeutic potential. In the present study, we have formulated and characterized mixed PMs (MPMs) containing QCT for increasing its anticancer potential. Methods: The MPMs were prepared by thin film hydration method, and their physicochemical properties were characterized. The in vitro anticancer activity of the MPMs were tested in breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, epithelial and metastatic cancer cell lines, respectively), and ovarian (SKOV-3 and NCI/ADR, epithelial and multi-drug resistant cell lines, respectively) cancer. Results: The optimal MPM formulations were obtained from Pluronic polymers, P123 and P407 with molar ratio of 7:3 (A16); and P123, P407 and TPGS in the molar ratio of 7:2:1 (A22). The size of the particles before lyophilization (24.83±0.44 nm) and after lyophilization (37.10±4.23 nm), drug loading (8.75±0.41%), and encapsulation efficiency (87.48±4.15%) for formulation A16 were determined. For formulation A22, the particle size before lyophilization, after lyophilization, drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were 26.37±2.19 nm, 45.88±13.80 nm, 9.01±0.11% and 90.07±1.09%, respectively. The MPMs exhibited sustained release of QCT compared to free QCT as demonstrated from in vitro release experiments. The solubility of QCT was markedly improved compared to pure QCT. The MPMs were highly stable in aqueous media as demonstrated by their low critical micelle concentration. The concentration which inhibited 50% growth (IC₅₀) values of both micellar preparations in all the cancer cell lines were significantly less compared to free QCT. Conclusion: Both the MPMs containing QCT could be used for effective delivery to different type of cancer and may be considered for further development.

In the present study, we have synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Pueraria tuberosa aqueous extract (PTAE) in a straightforward manner without involvement of toxic chemicals. Various reaction parameters (reaction time, AgNO₃ concentration, pH, reaction temperature and PTAE concentration) were optimizeded for the synthesis of AgNPs through visual observation of colour change and absorption peak by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The green synthesized AgNPs were analyzed by DLS, FTIR, SEM, TEM, EDS and XRD for their bio-physical characteristics. The AgNPs were screened for their antioxidant activity by determining total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and anticancer potential by MTT assay. The average particle size of AgNPs was 162.72 ± 5.02 nm with zeta potential of –30.14 ± 2.08 mV. The spherical shape of the AgNPs was confirmed by SEM and TEM. FTIR spectra showed the involvement of different phytoconstituents as capping and stabilizing agents in the synthesis of AgNPs. The TAC of the optimized synthesized AgNPs was more than PTAE. The IC₅₀ of synthesized AgNPs against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, SKOV-3, U-87 and NCI/ADR cell lines was 3.859, 1.128, 29.36, 6.053 and 25.49 µg/ml, respectively. The green synthesized AgNPs has potential for use in the treatment of different types of cancer.

Background: Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) have become a popular formulation option as nanocarriers for poorly water-soluble drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate the factor that can influence the design of successful lipid formulation classification system (LFCS) Type III SNEDDS formulation and improve the oral bioavailability (BA) of fenofibrate. Materials and methods: LFCS Type III SNEDDS were designed using various oils, water-soluble surfactants, and/or cosolvents (in considering the polarity of the lipids) for the model anticholesterol drug, fenofibrate. The developed SNEDDS were assessed visually and by measurement of the droplet size. Equilibrium solubility of fenofibrate in the SNEDDS was conducted to find out the maximum drug loading. Dynamic dispersion studies were carried out (1/100 dilution) in water to investigate how much drug stays in solution after aqueous dispersion of the formulation. The BA of SNEDDS formulation was evaluated in the rat. Results: The results from the characterization and solubility studies showed that formulations containing mixed glycerides were highly efficient SNEDDS as they had higher solubility of the drug and produced nanosized droplets. The dispersion studies confirmed that SNEDDS (containing polar mixed glycerides) can retain >98% drug in solution for >24 hours in aqueous media. The in vivo pharmacokinetics parameters of SNEDDS formulation in comparison with pure drug showed significant increase in C_max and AUC_0–t, ~78% and 67%, respectively. The oral BA of fenofibrate from SNEDDS in rats was ~1.7-fold enhanced as compared with the BA from pure drug. Conclusion: Fenofibrate-loaded LFCS Type III SNEDDS formulations could be a potential oral pharmaceutical product for administering the poorly water-soluble drug, fenofibrate, with an enhanced oral BA.