Improved Anticancer Activity of Meloxicam Hydrogels in K562 and HL60 Cell Lines

Objective: The aim of the present study is to prepare poloxamer based formulations of meloxicam to evaluate various parameters like pH stability, drug release and in vitro anticancer activities in cell lines with an intention to formulate injectable sustained biodegradable drug delivery system. Method: Various strengths of meloxicam formulations were prepared by using poloxamer 407. Prepared formulations were analyzed for drug content and pH stability by using HPLC. Drug release studies were tested by using USP dissolution testing apparatus. Further, we evaluated in vitro anticancer activity among these formulations by using sulphorhodamine-B (SRB) assay in two leukemia cell lines such as HL-60 and K-562 cell lines. Results: It showed that among all formulations, F1 formulation showed stability at pH 6.8, 7.0 and 7.4. It also showed 60% drug release and exhibited good anti cancer activity in HL-60 cell line with GI50 <10 µg/ml as similar to adriamycin. Conclusion: Comparing these results, we concluded that F1 formulation showed good anticancer activity in cell lines, therefore further studies are necessary to confirm the mechanism of toxicity action studies. Thus these formulations has a potential to be a sustained release, passive targeted deliver system for meloxicam, with reduced side effects associated with the drug.