Selection and optimization of nano-formulation of P-glycoprotein inhibitor for reversal of doxorubicin resistance in COLO205 cells

ObjectiveThe prime objective of current work was to develop a strategy for preparation of combinational nano-formulation for reversal of drug resistance. MethodsAs a model system, doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant COLO205 cells were developed and validated. From co-treatment studies with DOX, curcumin was selected as it reversed DOX-resistance at lowest concentration. In an attempt to increase its solubility, curcumin was encapsulated into hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CD). Here, we propose that presence of stabilizer overcomes its low encapsulation efficiency. Thus, we evaluated curcumin encapsulation in HP--CD in presence of different stabilizers and organic solvents. Finally, the effect of nanocurcumin with liposomal DOX was studied for reversal of resistance in COLO205 cells. Key findingsIn the process encapsulation, selective optimization of organic solvent by freeze-drying was found to be appropriate among other methods. From optimization studies with different organic solvent (acetone and dichloromethane) and stabilizer [polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Pluronics], HP--CD-encapsulated curcumin prepared using acetone in PVA-stabilized dispersion increased encapsulation (60%) with size of similar to 40nm. Prepared nano-curcumin reversed the DOX resistance effectively in combination with liposomal DOX. ConclusionsCurcumin reversed DOX resistance in COLO205 cells at low concentration and enhanced curcumin encapsulation in HP--CD was noted in presence of PVA. Further, it was observed that prepared HP--CD-encapsulated curcumin is equi-efficacious to nano-dispersed curcumin.