Organogel mediated co-delivery of nisin and 5-fluorouracil: a synergistic approach against skin cancer.

AIM: The present study aimed to develop topical combinatorial therapy of nisin and 5-fluorouracil in a single nanosized formulation against skin cancer.

METHODS

Nisin and 5-fluorouracil were encapsulated in an organogel system (NF-OG) and investigated for morphology, physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity, encapsulation and release. NF-OG was evaluated against DMBA/TPA murine skin cancer in terms of tumour statistics, histoarchitecture, TUNEL and M1/M2 macrophages.

RESULTS

The optimised NF-OG formulation exhibited particle size of 185.1 ± 11.24 nm, zeta potential of -7.93 ± 0.60 mV, offered substantial drug loading and temporal release. NF-OG therapy led to improved cytotoxicity of nisin and 5-FU against B16-F10 cells, significant decrease in tumour volume (84.983 mm3) in treated group as compared to untreated group (490.482 mm3) accompanied by restoration of histoarchitecture and repolarization of macrophages.

CONCLUSION

The study yielded a promising delivery system exhibiting potent anticancer activity and forms the bases for further applications in clinical settings.