Physicochemical Characterization of Chrysin-Derivative-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers with Special Reference to Anticancer Activity

Homologues long-chain chrysin derivatives (LCD, C-n: 8-18) were synthesized and incorporated into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) with the aim to treat human neuroblastoma. Mutual miscibility and attractive interactions among the NLC components, namely tripalmitin (TP), cetyl palmitate (CP), oleic acid (OA), and the chrysin (CHR) derivatives (LCD) at the air-water interface were assessed by the Langmuir monolayer approach. Optimum combination for the NLC formulations was found to be 2:2:1 (M/M/M) for TP/CP/OA, respectively. NLC formulations, both in the absence and presence of LCD, were characterized by combined dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The size and zeta potential of the NLC formulations were found in the range 200-350 nm and -12 to -18 mV, respectively. Encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics of CHR and LCD when loaded into NLC were also evaluated. LCD exhibited maximum incorporation, drug-loading capacity, and sustained release because of its enhanced hydrophobicity. Superior incorporation efficiency and sustained-release profile of LCD were able to enhance their anticancer activity against human neuroblastoma cell lines, compared to CHR, making them promising agents in combating cancer.