RUTIN-LOADED ETHYLCELLULOSE-BASED NANOSPONGE FOR IN VITRO BREAST CANCER: FORMULATION AND OPTIMISATION BY 32 FACTORIAL DESIGN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2026v18i4.57963Keywords:
Rutin, Nanosponge, Factorial design, Antioxidant, CytotoxicityAbstract
Objective: The objective of the present study was to enhance the aqueous solubility and anticancer potential of rutin, a poorly water-soluble flavonoid, by formulating it into a nanosponge (NS) drug delivery system.
Methods: Rutin-loaded nanosponges (RNS) were prepared using the emulsification–solvent diffusion method with ethylcellulose (EC) as the polymer at a drug-to-polymer ratio of 1:20. A 3² factorial design was employed to optimise formulation variables, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentration and sonication time. Particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficiency (EE) were selected as dependent variables. The optimised rutin-loaded nanosponge (ORNS) formulation was further evaluated for in vitro drug dissolution, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity studies.
Results: The ORNS exhibited a mean particle size of 163.4 nm, a PDI of 0.368, and a significant improvement in drug release, with in vitro dissolution of 86.16 ± 0.79% compared to 38.39 ± 0.75% for pure rutin, indicating enhanced solubility. The nanosponge formulation also showed superior antioxidant activity and significantly enhanced cytotoxicity, exhibiting a 1.73-fold increase in cell death compared to pure rutin.
Conclusion: The developed rutin-loaded nanosponge significantly enhanced solubility, antioxidant activity, and in vitro cytotoxic efficacy, indicating its promise as a delivery system for breast cancer therapy; however, further in vivo studies are warranted to confirm its therapeutic efficacy and safety.
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