Abstract

Objective: The aim of the current work was to elucidate whether the nanoencapsulation of meloxicam would allow its exertion of anticancer activity on colon cancer cells despite lacking COX-2 expression. Methods: Meloxicam nanoemulsion was prepared using the water dilution method, in which oleic acid was chosen as the oily phase, tween 20 as surfactant and ethanol as cosurfactant. The nanoemulsion was characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, morphology, in vitro drug release, stability and anticancer activity on HCT-116 colon cancer cells. Results: It was shown that meloxicam nanoemulsion was successfully prepared with a particle size of 11 nm, polydispersity index of 0.278 and a neutral charge, and it was able to sustain the release of drug for 24 hours with a cumulative percent released of 86%. Its spherical morphology was confirmed using transmission microscopy. No significant changes in particle size, polydispersity or charge were observed upon storage, suggesting the stability of the nanosystem. Moreover, the nanoemulsion exhibit significant cytotoxicity on HCT-116 compared to non-encapsulated meloxicam, suggesting that the prepared nanoemulsion was a successful delivery carrier for meloxicam, which is capable of potentiating its anticancer activity in a non COX-2 dependant manner.