Improving the Cytotoxic Activity of Hinokitiol from Drug-Loaded Phytosomal Formulation Against Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Tarek A Ahmed,1,2 Ghada A Milibary,1 Alshaimaa M Almehmady,1 Amerh A Alahmadi,1 Ehab MM Ali,3 Khalid M El-Say1 1Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia; 2Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Alsulaymanyah, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Tarek A Ahmed, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia, Tel +96626400000 ext 22250, Email [email protected]: This study investigates the influence of various formulation parameters on the characteristics of hinokitiol-loaded phytosomes and evaluates their anticancer potential against breast cancer cells.Materials and Methods: Phytosomal nanoparticles were prepared and characterized for size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. Morphological analysis was conducted using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The solubility of hinokitiol at different pH levels was determined, and the in vitro release profile of the optimized phytosomes was assessed. Cytotoxicity assays were performed to evaluate the anticancer efficacy against breast cancer cell lines, and apoptosis induction was examined using Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Cell cycle analysis was conducted to assess the impact on cell cycle progression.Results: The optimized phytosomes demonstrated a size range of 138.4 ± 7.7 to 763.7 ± 15.4 nm, with zeta potentials ranging from − 10.2 ± 0.28 to − 53.2 ± 1.06 mV and entrapment efficiencies between 29.161 ± 1.163% and 92.77 ± 7.01%. Morphological characterization confirmed uniformity and spherical morphology. Hinokitiol solubility increased with pH, and the release from the optimized phytosomes exhibited sustained patterns. The formulated phytosomes showed superior cytotoxicity, with lower IC50 values compared to pure hinokitiol. Treatment induced significant apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M and S phases.Conclusion: Hinokitiol-loaded phytosomes demonstrate promising anticancer efficacy against breast cancer cells, highlighting their potential as targeted therapeutic agents for breast cancer therapy.Keywords: hinokitiol, phytosomes, cytotoxic activity, breast cancer, apoptosis, cell cycle