Lipid nanocapsules formulation and cellular activities evaluation of a promising anticancer agent: EAPB0503

Objectives: EAPB0503, lead compound of imiqualines, presented high antitumor activities but also a very low water solubility which was critical for further preclinical studies. To apply to EAPB0503, a robust and safe lipid formulation already used for poor soluble anticancer agents for injectable administration at a concentration higher than 1 mg/mL. Materials and Methods: Physicochemical properties of EAPB0503 were determined to consider an adapted formulation. In a second time, lipid nanocapsules (LNC) formulations based on the phase‑inversion process were developed for EAPB0503 encapsulation. Then, EAPB0503 loaded‑LNC were tested in vitro on different cell lines and compared to standard EAPB0503 solutions. Results: Optimized EAPB0503 LNC displayed an average size of 111.7 ± 0.9 nm and a low polydispersity index of 0.059 ± 0.002. The obtained loading efficiency was higher than 96% with a drug loading of 1.7 mg/mL. A stability study showed stability during 4 weeks stored at 25°C. In vitro results highlighted similar efficiencies between LNC and standard EAPB0503 solutions prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide. Conclusion: In view of results obtained for loading efficiency and drug loading, the use of a LNC formulation is very interesting to permit the solubilization of a lipophilic drug and to improve its bioavailability. Preliminary tested pharmaceutical formulation applied to EAPB0503 significantly improved its water solubility and will be soon considered for future preclinical in vivo studies.