DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF DOXORUBICIN CUBOSOMES FOR TARGETED CANCER THERAPY

The present study was aimed at the formulation and evaluation of Doxorubicin-loaded cubosomes to enhance drug encapsulation efficiency, achieve sustained drug release, and improve formulation stability. Morphological evaluation by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the prepared cubosomes were discrete and nearly spherical in shape. Particle size analysis indicated that the formulations had particle sizes ranging from 165 to 183 nm, with formulation F4 exhibiting the smallest particle size (165 nm). Zeta potential values ranged from −25 to −30 mV, indicating good physical stability of the cubosomal formulations. Drug entrapment efficiency studies showed efficient incorporation of Doxorubicin into the cubosomes, with formulation F4 exhibiting the highest entrapment efficiency of 85.92%.In vitro drug release studies demonstrated a sustained release pattern over an 8-hour period, with the optimized formulation F4 exhibiting the highest cumulative drug release of 98.52%. Accelerated stability studies conducted as per ICH guidelines for three months showed no significant changes in the physicochemical characteristics or drug release profile of the optimized formulation, confirming its stability.The results of the present investigation suggest that Doxorubicin-loaded cubosomes represent a promising nanocarrier system for anticancer drug delivery, offering advantages such as high drug entrapment, sustained drug release, enhanced stability, and the potential to improve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. Among the developed formulations, F4 was identified as the optimized formulation based on its superior physicochemical characteristics and release profile. Further in vivo studies are warranted to establish the therapeutic potential and clinical applicability of the developed cubosomal formulation. Keywords: Doxorubicin, Cubosomes, Nanocarrier System, Entrapment Efficiency, Sustained Drug Release, Zeta Potential, Stability Studies.