Amelioration of Pterostilbene Antiproliferative, Proapoptotic, and Oxidant Potentials in Human Breast Cancer MCF7 Cells Using Zein Nanocomposites

Purpose: This study aimed to explain the influence of zein nanosphere (ZN NS) formulation on the pharmacotherapeutic profile of PTS in MCF7 cells. Methods: Liquid-liquid phase separation was used to formulate PTS-ZN NSs. The formulations developed were evaluated for particle-size analysis, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro diffusion. Also, assays of cytotoxicity, uptake, cell-cycle progression, annexin V, apoptotic gene mRNA expression and biochemical assays were carried out. Results: The PTS-ZN NS formulation selected showed 104.5 +/- 6.2 nm, 33.4 +/- 1.8 mV, 95.1%+/- 3.6%, and 89.1%+/- 2.65% average particle size, zeta-potential, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro diffusion, respectively. With MCF7 cells, IC50 was reduced approximately 15-fold, with increased cellular uptake, accumulation in the G(2)/M phase, increased percentage of cells in the pre-G(1) phase, amelioration of early and late apoptosis, raised mRNA expression of CASP3 and CASP7, lower expression of cyclin-CDK1, and enhanced oxidant potential through decreased glutathione reductase (GR) activity, and enhanced reactive oxygen-species generation and lipid-peroxidation products. Conclusion: PTS-ZN NSs indicated enhanced antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and oxidant potential toward MCF7 cells compared to free PTS. Ameliorated results of nanosized carriers, cellular uptake, and sustained diffusion may contribute to these outcomes.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the impact of zein nanosphere formulation on the pharmacotherapeutic profile of PTS in MCF7 cells. The findings demonstrated that PTS-ZN NS formulation exhibited enhanced antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and oxidant potential towards MCF7 cells, indicating improved outcomes compared to free PTS. This enhancement was attributed to the nanosized carriers, increased cellular uptake, and sustained diffusion of the formulations.