Truong T.H.Alcantara K.P.Bulatao B.P.I.Sorasitthiyanukarn F.N.Muangnoi C.Nalinratana N.Vajragupta O.Rojsitthisak P.Rojsitthisak P.Mahidol University2023-06-182023-06-182022-07-15Carbohydrate Polymers Vol.288 (2022)01448617https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85077Chitosan (Ch)-coated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have great potential for transdermal delivery with high localization of chemotherapeutics in breast cancer. This study used tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), a primary metabolite of curcumin with enhanced antioxidant and anticancer properties, as a model compound to prepare NLCs. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize THC-loaded Ch-coated NLCs (THC-Ch-NLCs) fabricated by high-shear homogenization. The optimized THC-Ch-NLCs had particle size of 244 ± 18 nm, zeta potential of −17.5 ± 0.5 mV, entrapment efficiency of 76.6 ± 0.2% and drug loading of 0.28 ± 0.01%. In vitro release study of THC-Ch-NLCs showed sustained release following the Korsmeyer-Peppas model with Fickian and non-Fickian diffusion at pH 7.4 and 5.5, respectively. THC-Ch-NLCs demonstrated significantly enhanced in vitro skin permeation, cell uptake, and remarkable cytotoxicity toward MD-MBA-231 breast cancer cells compared to the unencapsulated THC, suggesting Ch-NLCs as potential transdermal nanocarriers of THC for triple-negative breast cancer treatment.Materials ScienceArticleSCOPUS10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.1194012-s2.0-8512709119735450653