ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer is a significant global health concern with high mortality rates. Silibinin is a compound derived from milk thistle with anticancer properties and may be a potential treatment option for colorectal cancer. Its poor solubility limits its clinical application, but various strategies, such as nanoparticle encapsulation, have shown promise. In this study, a PEGylated niosomal drug delivery system was used to enhance the solubility of silibinin, and its anti-proliferative effects were evaluated against human colorectal cancer cell lines. METHODS: The silibinin-loaded PEGylated niosomal nanoparticles (NIO-SIL) were fabricated using the thin-film hydration method and characterized with dialysis bag, AFM, SEM, DLS, and FTIR systems. Finally, the cancerous cells and human normal cells were treated with NIO-SIL and pure silibinin. The proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of these cells were evaluated. Subsequently, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, p53, and cyclin D1 genes was measured using real-time PCR. RESULT: The drug release profile, size, morphology, and chemical interactions of the synthesized PEGylated niosomal nanoparticles were suitable for use as a drug delivery system. Both pure silibinin and NIO-SIL could reduce the proliferation of cancerous cells, induce apoptosis, and cause cell cycle arrest, with no significant negative effects reported on human normal cells. Both pure silibinin and NIO-SIL reduced the expression of the Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 genes while increasing the expression of Bax and p53. (p-value < 0.05 *). CONCLUSION: The outcomes of this study indicate the high potential of PEGylated niosomal nanoparticles for encapsulation and delivery of silibinin to cancer cells, with no negative effects on normal cells.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Cell Proliferation , Nanoparticles , Polyethylene Glycols , Silybin , Humans , Silybin/pharmacology , Silybin/chemistry , Apoptosis/drug effects , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry , Liposomes/chemistry , Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Colonic Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Drug Delivery Systems/methods , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Cell Line, TumorABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) due to their high solubility, stability, flexible molecular structure, tunable size, easy synthesis, and surface modification have attracted the attention of researchers as high-efficiency therapeutic agents. Recently, it has been reported that magnetic nanoparticles can be to bind pathogenic substances on their surface, followed by a recollection by magnetic separation. Considering the potential application of PB and magnetic nanoparticles, in the current study we aimed to strategically design and synthesize a highly efficient nano-magnetic bilirubin scavenger system based on iron oxides@prussian blue nanocomposites (Fe3O4@PB) NCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Fe3O4@PB NCs were synthesized by an improved shell-growing procedure and identified using advanced characteristic techniques TEM, SEM, XRD, DLS, and Zeta potential. Synthesized Fe3O4@PB NCs showed good magneton properties and also demonstrated dramatic absorbent properties that empower use as an eco-friendly adsorbent nano agent for the detoxification of toxins. In addition, Fe3O4@PB nanoparticles showed high performance of bilirubin absorption in the serum and blood of sickle cell anemia patients. (Temp. 37.7 ºC, the dose of adsorbent: 1 mg/mL, incubation time 30 min, and initial concentration: 0.25 mg/mL). RESULTS: The results demonstrated an ideal adsorption capacity (86%) of Fe3O4@PB NCs which is significant compared to the reported adsorbents agents. These results pave the way for the application of Fe3O4@PB NCs for the effective purification of toxins from patients' body fluids.
