In this study retinoic acid (RTA) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were optimized by tuning the process parameters (pressure/temperature) and using different lipids to develop nanodispersions with enhanced anticancer activity. The RTA-SLN dispersions were produced by high-pressure homogenization and characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, stability, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and in vitro drug release. Thermal and X-ray analysis showed the RTA to be in the amorphous state, whilst microscopic images revealed a spherical shape and uniform particle size distribution of the nanoparticles. Anticancer efficiency was evaluated by incubating RTA-SLNs with human prostate cancer (LNCap) cells, which demonstrated reduced cell viability with increased drug concentrations (9.53% at 200 ug/ml) while blank SLNs displayed negligible cytotoxicity. The cellular uptake of SLN showed localization within the cytoplasm of cells and flow cytometry analysis indicated an increase in the fraction of cells expressing early apoptotic markers, suggesting that the RTA loaded SLNs are able to induce apoptosis in LNCap cells. The RTA-SLN dispersions have the potential to be used for prostate anticancer treatment.

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Nanostructure lipid carriers (NLCs) were developed for the delivery of curmumin (CRN), a potent anticancer agent with low bioavailability, for the treatment of prostate cancer. NLCs prepared using high pressure homogenization (HPH) with around 150 nm particle size, − 40 V ζ-potential and excellent long-term stability. Cellular uptake of CRN-SLN showed nanoparticle localization in the cytoplasm around the nucleus. CRN-NLCs were assessed using flow cytometry and found to cause early and late apoptotic events at 100 μg/ml CRN concentrations. CRN-NLC nanoparticles were administrated to nude mice with LNCaP prostate cancer xenografts and demonstrated substantial tumour volume suppression (40%) with no weight loss compared to pure CRN (ethanolic solution). Overall, NLCs were proved a suitable carrier for passive drug delivery and cancer treatment. Graphical abstract

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