Enhanced Anticancer Efficacy of Noscapine-Loaded Lipid Nanocapsules: In-vitro and In-vivo Evaluation

Noscapine (NOS), an alkaloid with several interesting biological applications, has demonstrated antitumor action and cough suppressant potential. However, the strong hydrophobic nature of NOS makes it poorly water soluble. Therefore, it was necessary to figure out how to make NOS more soluble. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effect of free NOS as compared to that of NOS-loaded lipid nanocapsules (NOS-LNCs) on the 4T1 cell line, and in an orthotopic breast cancer (BC) mouse model. Spherical-shaped NOS-LNCs were prepared with a particle size (PS) of 213.4 +/- 1.41 nm and a zeta potential (ZP) of-13.6 +/- 1.17. The IC50 of free NOS, NOSLNCs, and plain LNCs was measured on the 4T1 cell line by MTT assay, and the results revealed that the IC50 was 66.107 mu g/ml, 13.209 mu g/ml, and 121.132 mu g/ml, respectively. On the other hand, NOS-LNCs demonstrated stronger anticancer effects in-vivo along with strong antiproliferative and antioxidant properties. Also, the immunohistochemistry analysis of BAX and BCL-2 in the tumor tissue confirmed the apoptotic activity of the NOS-LNCs, as it increased the expression of BAX and downregulated BCL-2. In conclusion, the current investigation showed that the developed NOS nanoform has a great deal of potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of BC.