title: Augmented simvastatin cytotoxicity using optimized lipid nanocapsules: a potential for breast cancer treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We noticed paucity in exploiting solutol-based lipid nanocapsules in statins formulations though they carry all favorable properties that are needed for cancer passive targeting such as their small particle size, stealth properties, ability to highly accommodate lipophilic drugs, good internalization and P-gp pump inhibition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to design and optimize new simvastatin drug delivery systems; lipid nanocapsules intended for administration through the intravenous route as potential treatment for breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Optimized nanocapsules were prepared by the phase-inversion method according to a D-optimal mixture design, characterized and assessed for their cytotoxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three successful models for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and percentage of drug released after 48 h were generated. The prepared lipid nanocapsules acquired spherical and homogenous morphology, good stability and tolerance to sterilization. The obtained release profiles demonstrated desired sustained release pattern. Furthermore, testing selected formulations on human breast cancer adenocarcinoma cells showed augmented cytotoxicity of simvastatin reaching low IC50 values as 1.4 ± 0.02 μg/ml compared to the pure drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed lipid nanocapsules pose promising candidates as simvastatin carriers intended for the targeting of breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University , Cairo , Egypt.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Safwat
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University , Cairo , Egypt.
authors.forename: Rania M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hathout
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University , Cairo , Egypt.
authors.forename: Rania A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ishak
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University , Cairo , Egypt.
authors.forename: Nahed D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Mortada
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008055:Lipids; D053769:Nanocapsules; D019821:Simvastatin
keywords: Breast cancer; D-optimal; lipid nanocapsules; optimization; simvastatin