In vitro apoptotic potential and ex vivo permeation analysis of ulipristal acetate loaded niosomes for management of uterine fibroids
To develop and optimise a niosomal formulation of ulipristal acetate (UPA) for enhanced cytotoxicity against uterine fibroids. Quality by Design, thin film hydration, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, cytotoxicity assays, flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation analysis. Optimised UPA-loaded niosomes (UPA-NS) exhibited mean diameter of 170.7 ± 3.46 nm, polydispersity index of 0.23 ± 0.02, zeta potential of -18.2 ± 2.31 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 90.57 ± 3.22%w/w and 10.65 ± 1.64%w/w loading efficiency. UPA-NS showed 89 ± 3.22%w/w drug release at pH 5.5 within 24 hours compared to 36 ± 5.44%w/w at pH 7.4. UPA-NS demonstrated 70% cytotoxicity in HEC-6 cells at 0.5 μg/mL compared to 44% for free UPA. Flow cytometry showed 23% live cells for UPA-NS vs 33% for free UPA after 16 hours. UPA-NS induced higher ROS generation than free UPA. The niosomal formulation enhanced the cytotoxicity and ROS-generating potential of UPA against uterine fibroid cells.