Optimisation of albendazole delivery and assessment of anticancer potential in hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2 cells) using surface modified nanostructured lipid carriers

Abstract

This study evaluated albendazole (ABZ) nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. ABZ-NLCs were prepared using emulsification-ultrasonication and optimised using a Box-Behnken design. Independent variables-lipids concentration (X₁), surfactant concentration (X₂), and sonication duration (X₃)-were assessed for their effect on mean diameter (Y₁), PDI (Y₂), and entrapment efficiency (Y₃). The optimised formulation exhibited a mean diameter of 166.13 ± 3.72 nm, a PDI of 0.17 ± 0.01, a zeta potential of -39.86 ± 1.84 mV, an entrapment efficiency of 94.25 ± 6.12%, and a loading capacity of 99.93 ± 7.15 mg/g. Following chitosan coating (ABZ-CS-NLCs), all parameters were maintained, and the zeta potential developed to +24.61 ± 1.32 mV, improving cellular interaction. The cytotoxicity assays revealed that ABZ-CS-NLCs were more effective than uncoated NLCs and free ABZ, with an IC50 value of 8.89 μM in HepG2 cells. Overall, ABZ-CS-NLCs demonstrate a promising and effective delivery platform for targeted hepatic cancer therapy.