Epirubicin Hydrochloride loaded poly (butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles: Formulation optimization, characterization and in-vitro evaluation in human breast cancer cell lines

Metastatic spread is the major cause of breast cancer deaths. The tumor associated lymphatics have long been believed to be the main route for early spread of tumor cells. In the present study polybutylcyanoacrylate (PBCA) nanoparticles containing Epirubicin Hydrochloride (EPI) were synthesized by anionic polymerization in acidic medium in the presence of Dextran 40, Poloxamer 407 and Poloxamine 904. The influence of stabilizer concentration and EPI loading on particle size and entrapment efficiency were studied. The in-vitro drug release study was carried out in phosphate buffer saline pH 7.4 at 37°C. The optimum particle size and entrapment efficiency was observed at 0.05% w/v EPI loading, at pH 2.5 and at 1% monomer and surfactant concentration. The in-vitro release of EPI from all the EPI-PBCA nanoparticles in phosphate-buffered saline pH 7.4 at 37°C showed biphasic release with an initial burst release followed by sustained release phase of EPI from nanoparticles. In-vitro cell studies were carried out in human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231and the results revealed similar cytotoxicity when compared with free drug in the breast cancer cells evaluated.