ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Paraquat (PQ) is an effective herbicide which is widely used around the world to remove weeds in agriculture. As a water-soluble carotenoid, crocin is a pharmacologically active constituent of C. sativus L. (saffron). OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we investigated the effects of crocin-loaded niosomes (Cro-NIO) compared to free crocin on PQ-induced toxicity in the eukaryotic human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell line. METHODS: The Cro-NIO was synthesized and characterized. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay in PQ-exposed HEK293 cell lines. The activities of biochemical markers were quantitatively determined to reveal the potential mechanism of PQ-induced oxidative stress in HEK293 cell line. RESULTS: The particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), DL, and EE of Cro-NIO were 145.4 ± 19.5 nm, -22.3 ± 3.11 mV, 0.3 ± 0.03, 1.74 ± 0.01%, and 55.3 ± 7.1%, respectively. PQtreated HEK293 cell lines decreased cell viability. The results of oxidative status showed that PQ significantly could increase ROS accumulation, accompanied by a decreasing antioxidant defense system. However, treatment with Cro-NIO, compared to crocin, not only did dose-dependently improve the cell viability but also significantly attenuated the ROS accumulation and increased antioxidant markers. CONCLUSION: According to these results, Cro-NIO, compared to crocin, was superior to ameliorating PQ-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in HEK293 cells.