Preparation, characterisation, anticancer potential and safety evaluation of a soy lecithin phytosome delivery system loaded with constituents from Barleria lupulina

In this study, antineoplastic effects of a novel soy lecithin-based phytosome drug delivery system containing Barleria lupulina Lindl. extract (BLSP) was evaluated. BLSP was prepared using the thin-film hydration method and analysed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Zetasizer technique. Phytosomes showed a mean-diameter of 135 ± 0.29 nm, zeta potential of -56 ± 1.16 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 57.24 ± 0.12%. The drug release profiles exhibited a two-phase pattern with a protracted and sustained release after the first release. BLSP had a cytotoxic potential against MCF-7 breast and HeLa cervical cancers and demonstrated a concentration-dependent reduction of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential. BLSP caused upregulation of B-cell lymphoma-2-associated-X protein, caspase-8, caspase-9, and cluster of differentiation-95, and downregulation of B-cell lymphoma-2. The in vivo toxicity study showed the safety of BLSP. Overall, BLSP has demonstrated potential as a promising formulation for delivering B. lupulina phytoconstituents to treat breast and cervical cancer.