α-amyrin-loaded nanocapsules produce selective cytotoxic activity in leukemic cells

Amyrins are triterpenes that have attractive pharmacological potential; however, their low water solubility and erratic stomach absorption hinders their use as a drug. The aim of this paper was to develop a novel α-amyrin-loaded nanocapsule for intestinal delivery and evaluate, preliminarily, its cytotoxic ability against leukemic cells. Five nanocapsule formulations were designed by the solvent displacement-evaporation method. Poly-ε-caprolactone, Eudragit® E100, and Kollicoat® Mae 100 P were used as film-former materials. Particle size, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential, and the pH of all formulations were measured. The cytotoxic potential of the nanocapsules was evaluated in vitro using different leukemic lineages Nanocapsules coated with Kollicoat® Mae 100 P presented the smallest particle size (130 nm), the lowest zeta-potential (−38 mV), and the narrowest size distribution (PdI = 0.100). The entrapment efficiency was 65.47%, while the loading capacity was 2.40%. Nanocapsules release 100% of α-amyrin in 40 min (pH 7.4), by using a possible mechanism of swelling-diffusion. The formulation showed excellent on-shelf physicochemical stability during one year. Additionally, nanocapsules produced a selective cytotoxic effect on a human leukemia lineage Kasumi-1, an acute myeloid leukemia cell line, and produced cell death by apoptosis α-amyrin-loaded nanocapsules appear to be a promising nanoformulation that could be used against leukemia. [Display omitted] •A novel α-amyrin-loaded nanocapsule (122 nm) was prepared using Kollicoat Mae® 100 P as a film former polymer.•Α-amyrin-loaded nanocapsules present good physicochemical stability for one and have a year.•α-amyrin-loaded nanocapsules have a potent cytotoxic effect against leukemic cells.