Nanocapsule Delivery of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Bioactive compounds: A Novel Approach to Induce Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Cancer is a major global health concern, often requiring treatment with associated side effects and limited efficacy. It is important to explore innovative therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes. In cancer therapy, encapsulating natural bioactive compounds in nanoparticles offers a promising approach to enhance the potential of these compounds in treating cancer by overcoming challenges such as poor bioavailability, instability, and non-specific toxicity. Natural bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, have demonstrated significant anti-cancer properties by reducing the metastatic potential of cancer cells through interference with the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and other enzymes involved in tumor invasion. Encapsulating these compounds in nanocarriers can significantly improve therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to explore the potential of nanocapsules containing bioactive compounds derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) to induce apoptosis in ASPC۱ pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: The nanocapsules were synthesized using the sol-gel method, and their physical and chemical properties were evaluated using various techniques. The MTT assay was used to test the cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer (ASPC-۱) cell line. Real-time PCR and flow cytometry were performed to examine apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. Results: The obtained result exhibited that the nanocapsules demonstrated a substantial reduction in cell viability, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC۵۰) of ۳۲.۸ µg/mL after ۴۸ hours of exposure. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed an increase in early and late apoptotic cell populations, with up to ۵۲% of cells undergoing apoptosis. Additionally, RT-qPCR analysis revealed heightened expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax and reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-۲, resulting in a significant increase in caspase-۳ activity, indicative of a shift towards apoptosis. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the encapsulation of these bioactives into nanocapsules not only enhances their bioavailability but also significantly improves their therapeutic efficacy. This research underscores the potential of nanocapsule-based delivery systems for harnessing the anti-cancer properties of natural compounds, offering a promising avenue for cancer treatment.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanocapsule ، Drug delivery ، Flowcytometry ، Gene expression