In vitro antitumor potential of astaxanthin nanoemulsion against cancer cells via mitochondrial mediated apoptosis

Astaxanthin and alpha-tocopherol have various biological potential with induction of intracellular ROS production in cytosol, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial site. The present study was performed to prepare nanoemulsion (NEs) formulation of astaxanthin and alpha-tocopherol with sodium caseinate (AS-AT/SC NEs) using spontaneous emulsification and ultrasonication for analyzing intracellular ROS production in apoptosis. NEs was characterized with standard analysis, which revealed a high stability of normal pH with a small size and unique zeta potential of spherical structure droplets with no toxicity and faster cell migration. It induced ROS production and confirmed using fluorescent stains due to their unique physicochemical and functional properties. Therefore, it played a significant role in the induction of oxidative stress inside the cell as dose-dependent cytotoxicity at different concentrations. AS-AT/SC NEs with protective effect in maintaining intracellular ROS, oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane potential to reduced apoptosis morphology in cancer cells through mitochondria-mediated apoptosis that inhibits cell death, thus cell survival was initiated at greater extent. Thereby exhibiting a significant remarkable therapeutic effect in cancer field. To best of our knowledge, this is first study concluded that induction of apoptosis potential by AS-AT/SC NEs emerged as a potential way to eradicate cancer cells.