Silymarin-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Gel for The Treatment of Skin Cancer

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> The present study was aimed at determining the antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity of developed silymarin-nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) gel. <b>Materials & methods:</b> B16 melanoma cell line and albino mice were used as <i>ex vivo</i> and <i>in vivo</i> models, respectively, to evaluate the aforementioned pharmacological activities. <b>Results:</b> The volume of large tumors significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from 5.02 to 3.05 mm³, levels of IL-1α and TNF-α were significantly (p < 0.001) lower and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) significantly (p < 0.0001) increased in the group treated with silymarin-NLC gel. Furthermore, in skin treated with placebo and conventional gels, a basosquamous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were noticed, respectively. <b>Conclusion:</b> Silymarin-NLC gel presented better treatment outcomes compared with silymarin-conventional gel.