Impact of Surfactants on Formulation Parameters and in vitro Cytotoxicity of Boswellic Acids Loaded Nanoparticles on Human Colon Cancer Cell Lines

  Objective: Boswellic acids extracted from the gum resin of plant Boswellia serrata are well reported for anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. The Present investigation was aimed to optimize the surfactant concentration by formulating a series of Boswellic acids nanoparticles. Methods: Nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation technique using diverse ratios of non-ionic surfactants (Polyvinyl alcohol and Pluronic F-127). Effect of surfactant concentration was studied on size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and loading capacity of nanoparticles. Transmission Electron microscopy was used to examine the effect of surfactant type on surface morphology of developed nanoparticles. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol2yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against colon cancer cells lines (HCT116). Results: Smallest particle size and polydispersity index (189.2 nm, 0.27), high entrapment (49.53±0.5) and loading capacity (23.64±0.43) with spherical shape was obtained in Pluronic F-127 nanoparticles in comparison to Polyvinyl alcohol nanoparticles. Pluronic F-127 nanoparticles showed higher cytotoxicity against colon cancer cell lines with IC50 value 21.3 µM having significant cytotoxic effects in comparison with Polyvinyl alcohol (IC50 value 23.2 µM) nanoparticles and Boswellia serrata extract (IC50 value 30.8 µM). Conclusion: It is concluded that the choice of surfactant is a critical parameter in the formulation of nanoparticles.