Co-delivery of 5-Fluorouracil and Curcumin Nanohybrid Formulations for Improved Chemotherapy Against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose The chemotherapeutics agent, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and curcumin (Cur), a natural antioxidant, has a wide pharmacological window to treat oral carcinoma; however, both drugs have limited bioavailability. This research study designs to develop a nanoemulsions (NEs) formulation by combining 5-FU and Cur to improve anticancer activity against oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells from the diversified origin for in vitro analysis, SCC090 (human tongue) and SCC152 (human hypo-pharynx). Methodology NEs formulated through homogenization, applying high-energy ultrasonication technique. The prepared 5-FUNE/Cur-NE/5-FU-Cur-NE were characterized and optimized by different in vitro assays to evaluate release system and treatment of OSCC cells to monitor cellular acceptability, such as in vitro anticancer activity by MTT assay, cell uptake studies and protein expression associated apoptotic study. Results 5-FUNE/Cur-NE/5-FU-Cur-NE successfully formulated and show mean-value of the particle size (150-200 nm), surface charge (-25.70 to -37.91 mV), and PDI (0.194). In vitro release of 5-FUNE/Cur-NE/5-FUCur-NEs was monitored over a course of 04 days, where acidic pH shows higher release as compared to alkaline pH, along with acceptable stability data. Cytotoxicity study has shown higher-dose-dependent anticancer effect with a reduced IC50 value of NEs as compared to BLNE. Cellular uptake study of 5-FUNE/Cur-NE/5-FU-Cur-NEs upgraded many folds, comparatively BLNE and show potential cell arrest. Additionally, the cell protein (Blc2, Bax, P53, and P21) expression was revised and raised cell apoptosis. Conclusion The combinational loaded, 5-FU and Cur in nanoformulation system have proven their potency to deliver improved anticancer activity, against oral cancer.