Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) acid nanoencapsulation of a synthetic coumarin: Cytotoxicity and bio-distribution in mice, in cancer cell line and interaction with calf thymus DNA as target

► Strategy for PLGA nano-encapsulation of a bioactive synthetic coumarin, 4 methyl 7 hydroxy coumarin (SC) is formulated. ► Anti-cancer potentials of nano-encapsulated SC (NC) are evaluated in skin papilloma cells A375 through standard protocols. ► Data of CD and Tm indicate concentration dependent interactions of NC bringing conformational changes in target DNA. ► Particle size of NC and physico-chemical interactions with target DNA show NC as a more potent anti-cancer drug than SC. ► NC has less cytotoxic effects, and can cross the blood brain barrier - important features for strategic drug design.