Purpose: Colon adenocarcinoma is the most common form of gastro intestinal tract cancer, predominantly in ageing population. Chemotherapy with 5-Fluorouracil and oxaliplatin is an indispensable treatment regimen, nevertheless having limitation of systemic toxicity and lower therapeutic index. The present study is based on evaluation of anti-proliferative potential, pharmacokinetics parameters, safety profile, biodistribution and efficacy of 5-FU/oxaliplatin loaded lactoferrin nanoparticles in cell lines and wistar rats in order to overcome the above limitation.
Methods: Nanoparticles were prepared by Water-in-oil process. The anti-proliferative efficacy and mode of cellular entry was evaluated in COLO-205 cells. The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution analysis were performed in healthy rats while efficacy and safety assay were performed in ACF induced rats.
Results: 5-FU and oxaliplatin loaded nanoparticles shows enhanced antiproliferative activity as compare to free drugs in COLO-205 cells. Lactoferrin nanoparticles also improve the pharmacokinetics profile, safety parameters and efficacy of 5-FU and Oxaliplatin.
Conclusion: Lactoferrin nanoparticles demonstrated an attractive drug delivery module to manage the colon adenocarcinoma as it has improved the antiproliferative activity of 5-FU and Oxaliplatin against colon adenocarcinoma cells. Moreover, it also improves the pharmacokinetic profile and safety parameters of the same drug in wistar rat.
Keywords: 5-fluorouracil; colon ACF; colon adenocarcinoma; lactoferrin nanoparticles; oxaliplatin; pharmacokinetic parameters.