LAUSR

Abstract The objective of the present study was to formulate and characterize cinnamon oil and usnic acid blended nanoemulsion (CUN) and evaluate its efficacy against chemical induced skin carcinogenesis. CUN was prepared using ultrasonic emulsification method and prepared nanoformulations (CN1–CN9) were characterized for particle size, surface morphology, zeta potential, polydispersity index and transmittance. Anticarcinogenic effect of topical CUN was determined in DMBA/croton oil-induced skin carcinogenic swiss albino mice. Biochemical study was performed on isolated skin tissues homogenate of mice at the end of experiment (16th week). Histopathological analysis was performed to observe the effect of CUN on animals skin. Results exhibited that all the formulations were spherical and of nanosized range. Batch CN7 was considered as optimized formulation due to lowest particle size (96.39 nm), optimum zeta potential (-27.13 mV) and highest percentage transmittance (99.76%). CUN significantly reduce tumors in chemical induced carcinogenic mice. It restored all antioxidant enzymes in skin tissues. Histopathological study showed a minor disturbance in the skin architecture, reduced number and size of keratinized pearls, acanthosis and tumor in comparison to negative control group. It can be concluded from the study CUN may be used as an effective topical formulation to attenuate skin carcinogenesis.