Effectual nanotherapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a frequently occurring type of cancer leading loss of huge number of lives. Folic acid (FA) conjugated solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) loaded paclitaxel (PTX) and ascorbic acid (AA) has been used as a novel approach in this study. METHODS: The FA conjugated SLN were prepared by following high speed homogenization and ultrasonication methods. FA conjugated SLN were used alone and in combination to evaluate their efficacy against OSCC induced animal model. FA conjugated PTX and FA conjugated AA loaded SLN were further subjected to pharmacokinetic and biodistribution. RESULTS: The FA conjugated SLN showed a biphasic drug release behavior both in in vitro as well as in vivo system. FA conjugated PTX loaded SLN and FA conjugated AA loaded SLN shows high efficiency when used in combination as compared to when used individually in vivo. FA conjugated SLN shows a better therapeutic efficacy as compared to normal drug as depicted by the observation of pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies. CONCLUSION: The in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the FA conjugated SLN concluded with a remark that, these SLN can be effectively used in the treatment of OSCC.