FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF 5-FLUOROURACIL AND FLAVONOID DUAL LIPID DRUG CONJUGATES LOADED SELF NANOMULSIFYING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR CANCER TARGETING

Objective: The Failure in chemotherapy is mainly because of the resistance of the chemotherapeutic drugs towards the neoplastic cells. The main reason behind this study was to develop a novel combination of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) lipid curcumin conjugates for the treatment of cancer. Methods: In this study, the lipid group stearic acid and oleic acid was conjugated with the parent drug moiety 5-Fluorouracil to acquire lipophilicity. The next step involves the conjugation of curcumin with 5-Fluorouracil lipid to form a lipid dual drug conjugate. The characterization of conjugates followed the synthesis part by using FT-IR, DSC, and LCMS. The conjugates hence obtained were further carried for formulation aspect. After the successful completion of the formulation part, in-vitro studies and MTT Assay was performed. Results: The results depict the successful synthesis of the conjugates, and its characterization was successfully done. The conjugates are formulated into Self Nanomulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS). The results obtained from the MTT assay also shown a significant cytotoxic effect in both the conjugation. Conclusion: The in-vitro results suggest further studies for cleavage of the drug and the lipids in the conjugate and in-vivo animal studies to demonstrate the anticancer efficacy.