Targeted Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Formulation for Colon Cancer Treatment and Cytotoxicity Assessment Using HT29 Cell Line

Several pharmacological effects have been attributed to thymol. However, limitations such as low solubility in water, low bioavailability, and high volatility have limited its use.

The present study aimed to prepare and characterize thymol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to improve the efficacy of thymol.

Thymol-loaded SLNs were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Cytotoxicity study and hemolysis assay were also performed.

The in vitro drug release showed a sustained manner. Also, SLNs loaded with thymol showed higher cytotoxicity than free thymol, and the hemolysis results indicated the blood biocompatibility of SLNs.

As nanocarriers, SLNs can open a new avenue for improving the efficacy of thymol in cancer treatment.