Capsaicin Loaded Solid SNEDDS for Enhanced Bioavailability and Anticancer Activity: In-Vitro, In-Silico, and In-Vivo Characterization

J Pharm Sci. 2021 Jan;110(1):280-291. doi: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.10.020. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

Abstract

In this investigation, the fabrication of capsaicin loaded self nano emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) was attempted to improve the effectiveness of capsaicin through the oral route. A pseudo-ternary phase diagram was constructed at different km values (1:1, 2:1, & 3:1). Nine liquid formulations (L-CAP-1 to L-CAP-9) were prepared at km = 3, evaluated & converted to solid free-flowing granules using neusilin® US2. L-CAP-3 comprising of 15% isopropyl myristate, 33.75% Labrafil, & 11.25% ethanol exhibited higher % transmittance (98.90 ± 1.24%) & lower self-emulsification time (18.19 ± 0.46 s). FT-IR spectra showed no incompatibility whereas virtual analysis confirmed hydrogen bond interaction between amino hydrogen in the capsaicin & oxygen of the neusilin. DSC & XRD study revealed the amorphization & molecular dispersion of capsaicin in S-SNEDDS. TEM analysis confirmed the nano-sized spherical globules. Within 15 min, L-SNEDDS, S-SNEDDS, & pure capsaicin showed 87.36 ± 3.25%, 85.19 ± 4.87%, & 16.61 ± 3.64% drug release respectively. S-CAP-3 significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 colorectal cancer cells than capsaicin. Apoptosis assay involving Annexin V/PI staining for S-CAP-3 treated cells demonstrated a significant (P < 0.001) apoptotic rate. Remarkably, 3.6 fold increase in bioavailability was observed after oral administration of capsaicin-SNEDDS than plain capsaicin.

Keywords: Annexin V/PI staining; Apoptosis; Bioavailability; Cancer; Capsicum annuum.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Biological Availability
  • Capsaicin*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Emulsions
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Particle Size
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Solubility
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Capsaicin