Preparation, Optimization and In-Vitro Evaluation of Curcumin-Loaded Niosome@calcium Alginate Nanocarrier as a New Approach for Breast Cancer Treatment

Simple Summary We provided an effective approach for the treatment of breast cancer as a malignant disease. Regards to this, we used drug delivery system. This approach does not have any side effects on the patients who suffer from cancer unlike chemotherapy, radiotherapy and drug resistance. This system implicates on using nano-drugs which loaded into nano-carrier. During this study, we used niosome@calcium alginate as a nano carrier which contained curcumin in aim of eradicating breast cancer cell lines. Through the research, we applied the above mentioned sample to breast cancer cell lines that were SKBR3 and MDA-MB231 and measured gene expression level to evaluate efficacy of this novel approach in therapy of this disease. Interestingly, applying curcumin loaded into niosome@calcium alginate in SKBR3 and MDA-MB231 as a treatment enhances cancer cell's death and apoptosis. We hope that this method could use as an effective and novel manner for the treatment of breast cancer. Cancer is one of the most common causes of mortality, and its various treatment methods can have many challenges for patients. As one of the most widely used cancer treatments, chemotherapy may result in diverse side effects. The lack of targeted drug delivery to tumor tissues can raise the possibility of damage to healthy tissues, with attendant dysfunction. In the present study, an optimum formulation of curcumin-loaded niosomes with a calcium alginate shell (AL-NioC) was developed and optimized by a three-level Box-Behnken design-in terms of dimension and drug loading efficiency. The niosomes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The as-formulated niosomes showed excellent stability for up to 1 month at 4 degrees C. Additionally, the niosomal formulation demonstrated a pH-dependent release; a slow-release profile in physiological pH (7.4), and a more significant release rate at acidic conditions (pH = 3). Cytotoxicity studies showed high compatibility of AL-NioC toward normal MCF10A cells, while significant toxicity was observed in MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3 breast cancer cells. Gene expression studies of the cancer cells showed downregulation of Bcl2, cyclin D, and cyclin E genes, as well as upregulation of P53, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 genes expression following the designed treatment. Flow cytometry studies confirmed a significant enhancement in the apoptosis rate in the presence of AL-NioC in both MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3 cells as compared to other samples. In general, the results of this study demonstrated that-thanks to its biocompatibility toward normal cells-the AL-NioC formulation can efficiently deliver hydrophobic drugs to target cancer cells while reducing side effects.

Automated summary

The study introduced an effective approach for treating breast cancer using drug delivery system with nano-drugs loaded into nano-carrier. The use of curcumin-loaded niosome@calcium alginate enhanced cancer cell death and apoptosis, showing potential as a novel treatment for breast cancer. The optimized formulation showed high compatibility with normal cells and efficient drug delivery to target cancer cells, reducing side effects commonly seen with chemotherapy.