Synthesis and evaluation of Escitalopram-loaded niosomes on colon cancer cell lines

Introduction: It has been approved that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may exhibit anti-proliferative or cytotoxic effects on several types of cancers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of a newly formulated niosome of Escitalopram oxalate on a colorectal cancer cell line. Methods: The niosomes were prepared using a thin layer hydration method, resulting in particles with a size range between 150 – 450 nm and spherical morphology. Moreover, its permeability release showed 25% in 4 hours. The cytotoxicity evaluation was performed using a quantitative colorimetric MTT assay. Results: The cell viability of colon cancer cells after treatment with niosomes and pure escitalopram reduced to 28.3 ± 0.83 % and 24.07 ± 0.56%, respectively. However, the cytotoxicity assay of escitalopram-loaded niosomes suggested that the anti-proliferative effect of the niosomal formulation of escitalopram was dose and incubation time-dependent. Conclusion: These results confirm the potential of the anti-proliferative activity of escitalopram-loaded niosomes. Further application to an in vivo model is needed to study various pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics parameters to establish its complete therapeutic potential.