Evaluating the Antitumor Activity of Nintedanib by Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System: In vitro and In vivo

Abstract

Introduction: Nintedanib was tested using the MTT assay on breast cancer cells and in vivo in mice bearing
Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Nintedanib (NTD)-solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) showed better drug
loading, release, and bioavailability, enhancing anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Materials and
Methods: Cytotoxicity of NTD and NTD-SLNs were evaluated on Michigan Cancer Foundation (MCF)-7
cancer cells using the MTT assay, determining cell viability. In vivo antitumor activity was assessed in
EAC-bearing mice treated with NTD, NTD-SLNs, or standard 5-fluoro u , hematological parameters,
and biochemical markers measured. Statistical analysis using one-way Analysis of Variance and Dunnett’s
test showed treatment effects compared to the toxic control, with significance at P < 0.05. Results: NTD
and NTD-SLNs showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cancer cells using the MTT assay, with the
highest inhibition at 200 μg/mL after 72 h. In vivo studies in EAC-bearing mice showed that NTD-SLNs
improved tumor suppression and restored hematological parameters toward normal, without toxicity. Overall,
NTD-SLNs demonstrated stronger antitumor activity than pure NTD and effects comparable to the standard
drug 5-FU. Conclusion: In vitro studies showed that NTD-SLNs were more effective than free NTD due to
improved solubility and dissolution, leading to stronger antitumor activity. In vivo, both NTD and NTD-SLNs
demonstrated antitumor effects in EAC-bearing mice, though NTD-SLNs were not as effective as the standard
5-FU. Overall, drug-loaded SLNs offer a promising approach for enhancing the bioavailability and antitumor
potential of poorly soluble drugs, such as NTD