Promising self-emulsifying drug delivery system loaded with lycopene from red guava (Psidium guajava L.): in vivo toxicity, biodistribution and cytotoxicity on DU-145 prostate cancer cells

Abstract Background Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs) have attracted attention because of their effects on solubility and bioavailability lipophilic compounds. Herein, a SEDDS loaded with lycopene purified from red guava (nanoLPG) was produced. The nanoemulsion characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurement, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), content quantification, radical scavenging activity colloidal stability in cell culture medium. Then, vivo toxicity tissue distribution orally treated mice cytotoxicity human prostate carcinoma cells (DU-145) peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) were evaluated. Results NanoLPG exhibited physicochemical properties size around 200 nm, negative zeta-potential, spherical morphology. size, polydispersity index, parameters suffered insignificant alterations during the 12 month storage at 5 °C, which associated °C for 10 months. showed partial aggregation medium 37 after 24 h. 0.10 mg/mL equivalent to 0.043 ± 0.002 mg Trolox/mL. studies did not reveal any significant changes clinical, behavioral, hematological, biochemical, histopathological nanoLPG mg/kg 28 days. In addition, successfully delivered liver, kidney mice, improved its against DU-145 cancer cells—probably by pathway independent classical necrosis apoptosis—and affect PBMC viability. Conclusions Thus, stands as promising biosafe system further development nanotechnology-based health products. Graphical