Evaluation of the Anticancer Effects of Quercetin loaded in Nanozeolite on HepG۲ Cancer cell line

Quercetin, a flavonoid naturally occurring in some fruits in limited quantities, and possesses verified antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer attributes. However, its therapeutic efficacy is hindered by poor water solubility and the potential for cellular damage at high concentrations. To address these challenges, the utilization of natural nanozeolites with their characteristic regular, hexagonal, and porous structure offers promising prospects in diverse medical and drug delivery applications. Nanozeolites exhibit a notable specific surface area, flexibility, physical stability, non-toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, their drug release capabilities are pH-sensitive, rendering them intelligent nanoparticles in the realm of drug delivery. In this study, standardized concentrations were prepared using pure zeolite, and a spectrophotometer was employed to construct the quercetin calibration curve. Subsequently, one gram of nanozeolite was subjected to intense sonication for ۲۴ hours in a ۲۰۰۰ ppm quercetin solution. Optimization of loading conditions was achieved by monitoring temperature and pH. Following the ۲۴-hour period, the resultant suspension underwent centrifugation, and the absorbance of the supernatant was measured. The concentration of quercetin loaded within the nanozeolite was determined by referencing the calibration curve. HepG۲ cancer cells were cultivated in the laboratory, and subsequent passages allowed for the plating of ۱۰,۰۰۰ cells in ۹۶-well plates. Various concentrations of quercetin-loaded nanozeolites were prepared, and their anticancer effects were assessed utilizing the MTT test. Under optimal conditions of pH=۵ and a temperature of ۳۰°C, the loading efficiency of quercetin into the nanozeolite reached ۸۳%. The size of the nanozeolites, as determined by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), averaged ۵۰ nm. The cancer cells were exposed to specific concentrations of the nanozeolites, and the most significant anticancer effect was observed at a concentration of ۱۰۰۰ ppm after ۴۸ hours. Nanozeolites exhibited a notable capacity for quercetin absorption. The release of quercetin from the nanozeolites was influenced by the temperature and pH of the cancer cell environment. Given the slightly acidic nature of the pH surrounding cancer cells in comparison to the normal body pH of ۷.۴, the pH-sensitive drug release mechanism of nanozeolites proves advantageous. These nanoparticles serve as reservoirs for the drug, selectively releasing it to target cancer cells. Consequently, nanozeolites hold considerable promise in the pharmaceutical industry. Their high specific surface area, coupled with excellent physical stability and negligible toxicity, renders them highly valuable in the field of drug delivery.

کلیدواژه ها:

Zeolite ، Quercetin ، Drug delivery ، HepG۲ ، Cancer