Nanoemulsion containing niclosamide: development, physicochemical characterization and in vitro anticancer activity evaluation

• Grant number: 20/06659-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2020
• End date: October 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Nádia Araci Bou-Chacra
• Grantee: Sarah de Araújo Sprengel
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, is one of the most lethal malignant neoplasm in the world, victimizing thousands of people every year. Just like other types of cancer, early diagnosis and surgery, as well as drug treatment, are necessary procedures for the primary containment of the disease and for the increased chances of success. These procedures, however, have serious adverse effects, such as nausea and vomiting. Thus, niclosamide - a drug used since the 60's for the treatment of parasitic tapeworm infections - emerges as a promising alternative for this challenge due to it's performance as an inhibitor of oncogenic signaling pathways - it inhibits, especially, the Wnt/ß-catenin, a mechanism which is hyperactive in 80% of the cases -, enabling its repositioning and chemotherapy treatments more targeted against cancer cells; however, its low systemic absorption and low water solubility make this option impractical. Considering such an obstacle, nanotecnology comes up as an great alternative to resolve these drug limitations. Therefore, the aim of this project will be to develop, optimize and to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of a nanoemulsion for the encapsulation of niclosamide. The following tests will be performed: selection of liquid lipid and surfactant, nanoemulsion preparation, diferential scanning calometry, average hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersibility index, zeta potential, encapsulation efficency and evaluation in vitro anticancer activity.