Formulation and characterization of Brucea javanica oil microemulsion for improving safety.
OBJECTIVE
This study engaged in investigation of optimal formulation, characteristics analysis of Brucea javanica oil microemulsion (BJOM) in order to address safety concerns and make recommendations for improvements in BJOM safety during clinical use in vivo.


METHODS
Pseudo-ternary phase diagram techniques were used to determine the appropriate ratio of surfactant, cosurfactant and oil phases. Subsequent stability testing of BJOM was performed by dilution, centrifugation and accelerated stability testing. The results were expounded through additional assessment utilizing the classical thermostat method to establish the shelf life of the material. These results were utilized to evaluate the safety of BJOM by haemolytic, irritative and allergic testing in vitro. In addition, the cytotoxicity of BJOM was examined using the tetrazolium salt 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), with particular emphasis given to potential uses in cancer treatment.


RESULTS
The most suitable method of preparation for BJOM was found to be a one to one ratio (Km 1:1) of Solutol HS15 surfactant matched with sorbitol cosurfactant in the ratio. The microemulsion droplets of BJOM possessed a spherical shape, uniform size and average diameter of 23.8 nm. The expiration date of BJOM was found to be 568 d. The safety study demonstrated no hemolysis activity at the experimental BJOM concentrations; however, mild hemolysis was observed at higher concentrations of Brucea javanica oil emulsion (BJOE), a common commercially available product. Irritation observed upon BJOM treatment can be primarily attributed to Brucea javanica oil (BJO) with little influence of BJOM excipients. In addition, BJOM caused no observed hypersensitivity or other visible allergic reactions in guinea pigs. The anticancer activity curves of BJOM and BJOE demonstrate that both BJOM and BJOE inhibit Hela cells, with BJOM demonstrating significantly more dramatic anticancer activity.


CONCLUSIONS
An optimal formulation of BJOM superior to commercially available products and safe for medical application such as intravenous injection has been outlined along with its anticancer activity rating.
Department of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University , Guangzhou , People's Republic of China.
Fan
F
Yang
Xiao Hong
XH
Yu
Fei
F
Qiao
Li Hui
LH
Cheng
Gang
G
Chen
Xiaoying
X
Long
Xin Ran
XR
Wang
Xiao Li
XL
Li
Run Cheng
RC
Liang
Yan Zhong
YZ
Chen
D000818:Animals; D032269:Brucea; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011817:Rabbits
D010938:Plant Oils