FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROEMULSION OF EXTRACT OF E. NUDA

The compounds that are derived from the natural sources have been used for the treatment of cancer since ancient times. The tubers of Eulophia nuda, belonging to family Orchidaceae, have been reported for its anti-cancer use in the literature. There are many disadvantages to the conventional herbal drug delivery system. These disadvantages could be overcome by formulating these herbs using novel drug delivery systems. Microemulsions are the novel formulations that improve the solubility and bioavailability of herbal bioactive bio-active compounds. In the present study, microemulsion loaded with alcoholic extract of tubers of E. nuda has been formulated by the water titration method using oil (Oleic acid), surfactant: cosurfactant (S_mix) (Tween 80 and PEG400) and water. The prepared formulations of microemulsions were subjected physicochemical characterization parameters such as globule size, percentage transmission, refractive index, viscosity, pH, drug loading, and percentage drug permeated. The optimized microemulsion was further subjected to an in-vitro cytotoxicity study by MTT assay using the MCF7 breast cancer cell line. The optimized microemulsion loaded with alcoholic extract of tubers of E. nuda showed enhanced permeation and increased cytotoxicity as compared to the alcoholic extract of tubers of E. nuda. Based on this study, it can be concluded the solubility and permeability of alcoholic extract of tubers of E. nuda can be increased by formulating into microemulsion.