Encapsulation of Baicalein in Cinnamon Essential Oil Nanoemulsion for Enhanced Anticancer Efficacy Against MDA-MB-231 Cells

Baicalein-loaded cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsion (BaiCN) was formulated to enhance the solubility and oral bioavailability of the drug, and its potential combined anticancer efficacy with cinnamon oil was evaluated against the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. The formulation was optimized using full factorial design, and the optimized formulation was characterized for its size distribution, morphology, FTIR analysis, release, and storage stability at 4 °C. The cytotoxicity of developed formulation was assessed via MTT assay on MDA-MB-231 cell line. The average droplet size was found to be 139.05 ± 0.05 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) value of 0.154 ± 0.029. The zeta potential of BaiCN was −14.35 ± 0.21 mV. Upon storage up to 6 months at 4 °C, there was no change in physical appearance or phase separation. However, a little increase in droplet size and PDI was observed. BaiCN exhibited good in vitro anticancer results against MDA-MB-231. There was about 19-fold and 23-fold enhancements in anticancer activity of BaiCN compared to that of free baicalein after 12 h and 24 h of treatment, respectively. Moreover, the cinnamon oil nanoemulsion without baicalein also showed good cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells and provided a collaborative effect to baicalein. In conclusion, cinnamon oil nanoemulsion is a promising drug carrier for encapsulating baicalein and enhancing their anticancer effect.