Synthesis and optimization of niosomal carriers containing doxorubicin in order to achieve a final formulation with high potential in cancer cells temperature and acidity

 Doxorubicin is one of the most commonly used drugs in chemotherapy with many side effects; this fact has limited its use. In the present study, based on the knowledge of pharmaceutical nanocarriers, various formulations of the niosomal form of this drug were synthesized and surface optimizations were applied to the final selected formulation. The present study was an experimental study. Various formulations of niosomal systems were synthesized by the method of thin-film hydration and using Tween60 and cholesterol. Doxorubicin was encapsulated through niosome inactively. In the following, optimizations were made based on choosing two formulas out of six experimentally, then the effects of adding Tween20, DSPE-mPEG(2000) polymer and cationic phospholipid of DOTAP (respectively) was investigated. Then, physiochemical properties of nanocarriers were determined from the perspective of encapsulation efficiency, drug release profile under healthy and cancerous cells condition, hydrodynamic diameter, Poly Dispersity Index, zeta potential, morphology and Infrared spectroscopy(IR) spectrum. To plot the graphs and express the data Origin and Excel software were used, respectively. The optimized final niosome formula had 98.59 nm in diameter, 91.8±0.43, -3.5mV zeta potential and 0.196 PDI. The maximum release of drug from the nanocarrier under conditions of healthy and cancerous cells (37°C, pH=7.4 and 42°C, pH=5.4) after 48 hours was 62.3% and 76.5% respectively. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope and IR assessments revealed spherical morphology and the absence of chemical interaction between nanocarrier and drug. The findings of this study prove this drug carrier to be semi-targeting. It also shows that niosome by specializing the drug delivery increases the effectiveness of drug and the life quality of patient while reducing the side effects, all without any change in the chemical nature of the drug.