Design and development of plumbagin loaded poly (ε -caprolactone) nanoparticles for improved cytotoxicity

Poly (ε -caprolactone) nanoparticles were developed as a nanocarrier for the delivery of natural naphthoquinones plumbagin for improvement in its solubility, drug release profile and in vitro cytotoxicity. Plumbagin loaded polymeric nanoparticle system was fabricated by nanoprecipitation method and the composition was optimized using factorial design approach. Nanoparticles showed particle size and encapsulation efficiency of 186 ± 1 to 300 ± 3 nm and 65.00+ 1.50 to 74.00+ 1.80% respectively. Optimization was carried out and optimized formulation showed sustained drug release over a period of 24 h. Concentration at total inhibition of cell growth (TGI) occurs was decreased by 56.95 % for PNP as compared to Plumbagin in MCF-7 cells indicates improved cytotoxicity of Plumbagin. The formulation development study proven that the developed PNP system exhibited improved solubility, sustained drug release, enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cell lines in comparison with Plumbagin. Thus the designed formulation approach can be further developed as novel carrier for plumbagin to enhance its biopharmaceutical properties.