Optimized doxycycline-loaded niosomal formulation for treatment of infection-associated prostate cancer: an in-vitro investigation

Developing drug delivery systems with both antibacterial and anti-cancer effects is of importance in the treatment process of infection-associated cancers, especially prostate cancer. In this study, Span 60, Tween 60, and cholesterol were used to formulate doxycycline-loaded niosomes as a promising drug carrier system as either antibacterial or anticancer formulation. The formulation process was optimized by multi-objective response surface methodology (RSM), and then characterized. The developed niosomal formulation showed great storage stability for up to 2 weeks. In addition, they showed remarkable drug release in acidic solution (pH = 3) compared with physiological pH (7.4). The in-vitro performances of the as-developed niosomal formulations were investigated for two different applications: antibacterial and anticancer. The antibacterial properties of doxycycline-loaded niosome were investigated using different Gram-negative, and Gram-positive bacteria, where considerable (50–75%) decreases in MIC values were observed. Moreover, the niosomal formulation also possessed promising chemotherapy effects against prostate cancer cells (PC3) but enhanced biocompatibility against normal HEK293 cells. The enhanced chemotherapy effect was correlated to the regulation of different genes as well as changes in cell cycle of PC3 cells after treatment with the niosomal formulation. These carriers could be served as a potential drug delivery system for the treatment of prostate cancer.