Surface-tailored nanomixed micelles containing quercetin–salicylic acid physical complex for enhanced cellular and in vivo activities: a quality by design perspective

Abstract

Aim: The development of surface-tailored quercetin (QCT)–salicylic acid (SA) physical complex for effective treatment of skin carcinoma. Materials & methods: QCT–SA nanomixed micelles were prepared by the self-assembly method employing the Quality by Design (QbD) approach and evaluated for various in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo parameters. Results: The optimized formulation showed enhanced percent permeation (Q24), in other words, 78.12 ± 0.47, improved in vitro cellular uptake and annexin-V–apoptosis assay exhibited 60.86% cell death. The 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and histopathology protocol revealed the improved antineoplastic action of QCT. The dermatokinetic profile showed the maximum drug concentration (6 h), in other words, 416.02 ± 26 μg/cm2 in epidermis and 103.65 ± 12 μg/cm2 in dermis. Conclusion: The overall performance ratified the safety and efficacy of optimized nanomixed micelless of QCT with SA in a synergistic manner.