REPURPOSED SIMVASTATIN-LOADED NANOSTRUCTURED LIPID CARRIERS: OPTIMIZATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION AGAINST LUNG CANCER

NARGIS ARA; ABDUL HAFEEZ; SHOM PRAKASH KUSHWAHA; ARCHITA KAPOOR

doi:10.22159/ijap.2025v17i4.53890

Authors

NARGIS ARA Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow-226026, India https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0472-3536
ABDUL HAFEEZ Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow-226026, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6752-2773
SHOM PRAKASH KUSHWAHA Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow-226026, India
ARCHITA KAPOOR Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow-226026, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2025v17i4.53890

Keywords:

Simvastatin, Nanostructured lipid carriers, Box-behnken design, Anticancer activity, in vitro drug release, A549 cell line

Abstract

Objective: Repurposed Simvastatin (SMV) is being investigated for the treatment of lung malignancies. However, its inadequate solubility in water and formulation constraints are the potential challenges for its use against lung cancer. This study aimed at synthesis of SMV-loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (SMV-NLC) for lung cancer management.

Methods: Emulsification and probe sonication approach was chosen for the formulation of NLCs. A three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design was utilized for the development of SMV-NLC formulation. The independent variables selected were total lipid concentration (%w/w), solid lipid: liquid lipid ratio, and surfactant concentration (%w/w). Screening of components was performed based on SMV solubility and SMV-excipient compatibility studies.

Results: Optimized SMV-NLC showed a particle size of 209.8±1.8 nm, low polydispersity index (0.319±0.14), negative zeta potential (-20.35 mV) and good entrapment efficiency (73.51±4.22%). Transmission electron microscopy examination revealed spherical shape of NLC with validation of nanometric size. Fourier Transform Infrared analysis revealed the entrapment of the SMV within the lipid matrix of NLC. SMV release of 86.97±1.7% was obtained from NLC after 24 h with sustained release characteristics. In vitro cytotoxic activity against A549 cell lines (lung cancer) showed IC₅₀of 11.34±0.12 and 30.26±0.14 µg/ml for SMV-NLC and SMV-suspension, respectively.

Conclusion: The developed SMV-NLC may be utilized as an effective platform for the management of lung cancer.

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