Optimisation of ethosomal nanogel for topical nano-CUR and sulphoraphane delivery in effective skin cancer therapy

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> The optimisation and evaluation of ethosomal nanogel (NGs) for topical delivery in skin cancer.<b>Methods:</b> The formulations were optimised by employing 3-factor, 3-level Box Behnken design for responses of vesicle size, and fluxes. They characterised <i>in vitro</i> and evaluated for drug release, permeation and retention, skin penetration of ethosome, electron microscopy, texture analysis, and <i>in vitro</i> cytotoxicity.<b>Results:</b> The optimised formulation exhibited z-average 125.67 ± 10.43 nm, apparent zeta potential -17.1 ± 2.61 mV, average flux of drug loaded ethosome were 54.72 ± 5.45 and 59.83 ± 6.09 µg/cm²/h. Further, Rhodamine B loaded ethosome penetrated deeper up to 183.82 µm. The NGs texture analysis showed index of viscosity 225.45 g.s, firmness 209.34 g, cohesiveness -189.48 g, and consistency 59.45 g.s. The optimised ethosome NGs exhibited significant anti-cancer effect in B16-F10 murine tumour cell line (<i>p</i> < 0.05).<b>Conclusion:</b> Ethosomal NGs could be promising for skin cancer treatment.