Lipid-nanopotentiated combinatorial delivery of tamoxifen and sulforaphane:ex vivo,in vivoand toxicity studies

Aim:This study aims to load tamoxifen (TAM) and sulforaphane (SFN) into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to enhance their oral delivery.Materials & methods:TAM-SFN-NLCs were prepared using Precirol(R)ATO5 and Transcutol(R)HP, characterized and evaluatedin vitroandex vivoto assess the drug release profile and intestinal permeability, respectively.In vivopharmacokinetic and acute toxicity assessment was performed in Wistar rats.Results:Optimized TAM-SFN-NLCs exhibited a particle size of 121.9 +/- 6.42 nm and zeta potential of -21.2 +/- 2.91 mV. The NLCs enhanced intestinal permeability of TAM and SFN and augmented oral bioavailability of TAM and SFN 5.2-fold and 4.8-fold, respectively. SFN significantly reduced TAM-associated toxicityin vivo.Conclusion:This coencapsulation of a chemotherapeutic agent with a herbal bioactive in NLCs could pave a novel treatment approach against cancer.