Synthesis and characterization of smart stimuli-responsive herbal drug-encapsulated nanoniosome particles for efficient treatment of breast cancer

Extraction from the herbs was performed using the Soxhlet method. Various formula was synthesized for niosomes containing the extracts through thin film synthesis technique, and the most efficient formulation was selected. Afterwards, physicochemical properties of niosomes, including size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficacy (EE%), extract release rate, non-interactive action between the extracts and niosomes, antibacterial potential, and cellular uptake were assessed. Finally, the toxicity level of the niosomes to breast cancer cells was compared and their impact on the expression of p53 and MCL-1 was evaluated. Our data demonstrated that the synthesized niosomes were sensitive to the temperature and pH. Also, the niosomes containing Hedera Helix extract (Nio-HHE) sized 97.7 nm, with a zeta potential of -19.9 +/- 6.7 mV, PDI of 0.35, and 58 +/- 2.4% encapsulation efficacy showed more toxicity to the cancer cells than the niosomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract (Nio-GGE) with the size of 111 +/- 8.5 nm, zeta potential of -23.5 +/- 4.5 mV, PDI of 0.113, and 69 +/- 1.2% encapsulation efficacy. The former system proved to have more antibacterial potential, and affect the expression of the oncogenes more than the latter. Meanwhile, both niosomal systems demonstrated an acceptable cellular uptake, and no chemical interaction with the extracts was observed. Furthermore, useful function of the synthesized niosomes was confirmed by morphological assessments. Our data confirmed that encapsulation of herbal extracts improves their anticancer and antibacterial potential. We concluded that Nio-HHE has more significant antitumor effects on breast cancer cells than Nio-GGE. Consequently, applying nano drug delivery systems based on herbal therapy could mitigate the side effects resulting from chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and offer promising perspectives for treatment of breast cancer.

Automated summary

Niosomes containing different extracts were synthesized and their physicochemical properties, antibacterial potential, and antitumor effects were evaluated. The niosomes containing Hedera Helix extract showed stronger toxicity and antibacterial potential, as well as a greater impact on the expression of oncogenes than the niosomes containing Glycyrrhiza glabra extract.