Anticancer study of targeted nano hybrid loaded with curcumin on HepG۲ cancer cell line

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world. However, due to its poor prognosis, HCC is the third leading cause of cancer death. Curcumin is low-risk and safe natural substance that studies shown that it has many pharmacological activities anti-cancer properties. Unfortunately, the clinical use of this drug is limited due to its very low water solubility, poor tissue absorption and rapid metabolism. Targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs one of the major challenges in cancer treatment, in this regard, nanocarriers can be used. In this study, we used albumin-coated and folic acid-targeted iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles as nanocarriers for targeted delivery of curcumin to HepG۲ cells and investigation of it on aforementioned cell line. Methods: In this project, first, stabilized iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles synthesized in a single container and in one step. The folic acid targeting agent then binds to albumin protein with carbide amide bond (Fe-BSA-FA-Cur). Physicochemical characteristics of synthesized nanocarriers were evaluated using FT-IR, DLS, TEM, VSEM, drug release, and hemolysis assay. Further investigations were carried out using uptake, cell viability, and apoptosis tests. Results: Physicochemical properties of Fe-BSA-FA-Cur nanosystems showed that properly synthesized. Uptake assay showed efficiently taken up of nanosystem by cells. Fe-BSA-FA-Cur significantly inhibited cell growth and increased apoptosis of HepG۲ cells compared to other groups. Conclusion: Altogether, obtained results revealed that use of albumin-coated iron oxide nanosystem that targeted with folic acid containing curcumin could be a good tool for treatment of liver cancer in future.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nano hybrid ، Curcumin ، Bovine serum albumin ، Liver cancer ، Cellular apoptosis