Formulation, characterization and evaluation of cytotoxic potential for febuxostat loaded chitosomes against cervical cancer cells (Hela cells).

The presented study is focused on evaluating the efficiency of repurposing Febuxostat (FBX) as a chemotherapeutic newcomer against the cervical cancer cell line (Hela cells). Exploiting nanotechnology benefits in drug delivery, FBX was incorporated into chitosan-coated niosomes (Chitosomes). Using a 23 factorial design, eight formulations were characterized for their entrapment efficiency percentage, particle size, and zeta potential. The optimum (FBX) loaded chitosomes displayed a mean particle size of 339 ± 14 nm, an entrapment efficiency of 91.07 ± 0.33%, and a Zeta potential of + 26.9 ± 1.2 ± 1.2 mV. In vitro cytotoxicity studies performed on Hela cells indicated a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in IC50 value around 3-fold compared with pure FBX. The cellular uptake showed a 2-fold increase compared to the free drug. Upon studying the cell death cycle, it was revealed that apoptotic cell death was caused by the drug in the G1/S phase. Altogether, these findings revealed that the optimized chitosomal dispersion exhibited superior cytotoxic activity compared to free FBX, indicating it as a promising efficient and biocompatible delivery system for cervical cancer treatment.