Preformulation and formulation development of a bioactive nitroaromatic compound

The N -(butanoyloxyethyl)-4-(chloromethyl)-3-nitrobenzamide (BNB) is a nitroaromatic derivative with significant antitumor activity. Preformulation, forced degradation (distilled water, acid and base hydrolysis, oxidation, and light), and formulation studies were performed to investigate the chemical behavior of the molecule, the physicochemical properties, and the impact of formulation variables. Pharmacokinetic properties for BNB were estimated in silico. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) containing BNB were developed by a hot melt homogenization method for parenteral administration. Degradation studies demonstrated that this compound is sensitive to hydrolysis. BNB was predicted to have a favorable absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion profile. The nanocarriers developed were characterized for particle size (PS = 61 to 85 nm), polydispersity index (PI < 0.3), zeta potential (ZP = − 22 to − 34 mV), and encapsulation efficiency (EE = 66 to 90%) and remained stable for 30 days of storage. These studies indicated that BNB (inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) 21.8 μM) and BNB-loaded NLC (IC 50 33.7 μM) showed moderate cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell line. Blank formulations did not induce cytotoxicity and BNB-loaded SLN was able to potentiate the action of BNB (lC 50 12.4 μM). BNB is a promising antitumor agent and it is possible to modulate its activity based on the particle size of the formulation.