Intravenous Nanocarrier for Improved Efficacy of Quercetin and Curcumin against Breast Cancer Cells: Development and Comparison of Single and Dual Drug–Loaded Formulations Using Hemolysis, Cytotoxicity and Cellular Uptake Studies

Abstract

The present work highlights the suitability of an oil-based nanocarrier to deliver quercetin (Q) and curcumin (C) through the intravenous route for treatment of breast cancer. The nanoemulsion prepared by the modified emulsification-solvent evaporation method resulted in particle size (p ˃ 0.05) and demonstrated the biocompatibility of the nanoemulsion with human blood. In vitro cytotoxic potential of single and dual drug–loaded nanoemulsions were determined against breast cancer cells (MF-7). The IC50 value for QNE and CNE were found to be 40.2 ± 2.34 µM and 28.12 ± 2.07 µM, respectively. The IC50 value for QC-NE was 21.23 ± 2.16 µM and demonstrated the synergistic effect of both the drugs. The internalization of the drug inside MF-7 cells was detected by cellular uptake study. The cellular uptake of QNE and CNE was approximately 3.9-fold higher than free quercetin and curcumin (p < 0.0001). This strategically designed nanoemulsion appears to be a promising drug delivery system for the proficient primary preclinical development of quercetin and curcumin as therapeutic modalities for the treatment of breast cancer.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• quercetin
• curcumin
• hemocompatibility
• cytotoxicity
• cellular uptake