FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MELPHALAN LOADED NIOSOME FOR CANCER TREATMENT
Dr. M. Gopal Rao*, Dr. K. Muthusamy, Dr. T. K. Ravi, Mr. Y. Arul Packiadhas and Mr. K. Jayaseelan
Cancer treatment with conventional chemotherapy drugs often faces challenges such as poor solubility, rapid metabolism, systemic toxicity, and non-specific distribution. Melphalan, an alkylating agent widely used in multiple myeloma and other cancers, is clinically effective but suffers from reduced stability and limited bioavailability. To address these drawbacks, the present work focused on developing melphalan-loaded niosomes as a novel nanocarrier system. The formulations were prepared using the thin film hydration technique with cholesterol and non-ionic surfactants. They were further analyzed for particle size, surface charge, drug entrapment efficiency, pH stability, compatibility studies, and in vitro release behavior. The optimized niosomal formulation exhibited nanoscale vesicles with uniform distribution, high entrapment efficiency, and stable zeta potential. FTIR analysis confirmed no significant drug–excipient interactions. The release profile demonstrated sustained drug release over an extended period, with kinetics indicating a diffusion-controlled mechanism. The findings suggest that melphalan-loaded niosomes can enhance drug stability, provide controlled delivery, reduce systemic side effects, and thereby improve therapeutic efficacy in cancer management.
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