Formulation Development, Characterization, and Therapeutic Evaluation of Ethanolic Extract of L. speciosa Leaves in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Due to its possible antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory qualities, Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba) (LS) is receiving more attention in med-ical therapy. LS is a natural chemical with few adverse effects and low toxicity, although it has poor water solubility and absorption. This study aimed to create a nanoemulsion formulation utilising an ethanol-ic extract of LS leaves and test it for anticancer activities in the MCF-7 cell line. Lemongrass oil, Cremophor EL as the surfactant, and Transcutol HP as the co-surfactant were used to create the nanoemulsion. It was done to characterize the ethanolic extract of LS leaves optimised nanoemulsion (ELSN). The MTT test against the MCF-7 cell line was used to assess the anticancer efficacy of ELSN. The average particle size of the optimized nanoemulsion formulation was 91.22 nm with a PDI value of 0.224, indicating a monodispersed system. Transmission electron microscopy has validated the spherical shape of droplet size. Nanoemulsion components, in association with herbal extract, contributed to a zeta potential value of -4.73 Mv. It was discovered that ELSN IC50 was 75.13 ± 3.29 μg/mL. This study confirms that the development of ELSN improves the poor water solu-bility and bioavailability of the drug as well as enhances the therapeutic efficacy.