In Vitro MCF-7 Cells Apoptosis Analysis of Carboplatin Loaded Silk Fibroin Particles

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cancer Biology
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Breast cancer is a leading global cause of death, often treated with chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy's adverse effects necessitate the development of safer, biocompatible drug carriers.
• Silk fibroin protein (SF) offers a promising biocompatible material for drug encapsulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To encapsulate carboplatin (CP) within silk fibroin protein (SF) using ionic gelation.
• To characterize the silk fibroin encapsulated carboplatin (SFCP) microparticles.
• To evaluate the in vitro apoptotic effect of SFCP on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Main Methods:

• Carboplatin was encapsulated in silk fibroin using ionic gelation.
• SFCP microparticles were characterized using FTIR, SEM, Mastersizer, and biodegradation assays.
• Encapsulation efficiency, drug release, and apoptotic effects on MCF-7 cells were assessed via UV-Vis spectrophotometry and cell culture.

Main Results:

• FTIR and drug release studies confirmed silk fibroin's interaction with carboplatin.
• Successful encapsulation of carboplatin within SFCP microparticles was achieved.
• SFCP demonstrated a dose-dependent induction of cell death in MCF-7 cells (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Silk fibroin protein is a suitable carrier for carboplatin.
• SFCP microparticles exhibit direct apoptotic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
• This study validates SFCP as a potential therapeutic agent for breast cancer treatment.