Formulation, Characterization and In-vitro and In-vivo Evaluation of Capecitabine Loaded Niosomes

Background: Nanocarriers improve the efficacy of drugs by facilitating their specific delivery and protecting them from external environment resulting in a better performance against diseases. Objective: In this study, it was aimed to improve the efficacy of capecitabine against colorectal cancer by its entrapment in niosomes. Ether injection method was used to prepare niosomes composed of span 20 and cholesterol. Methods: Niosomes were evaluated by evaluating the entrapment efficiency, in-vitro drug release and cytotoxicity of capecitabine loaded niosomes. Niosomes were characterized by particle size analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry for surface morphology and drug excipient interactions. Results: High encapsulation efficiency (90.55%) was observed, which is anticipated to resolve the multi-drug resistance problem. Reported particle size was 180.9 + 5 nm with a negative zeta potential - 21 + 0.5 mV and the kinetic study showed a concentration-dependent release of the drug from the niosome. DSC study proved entrapment of the entire drug and its non-covalent bonding with the excipients. Cytotoxicity study of niosomes on CaCO2 cell line showed an improved IC50 value as compared to the free drug. Conclusion: Enhanced cytotoxicity observed in the results further supports the suitability of niosome as a nanocarrier for pharmaceutical drug delivery.