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Strigol1/albumin/chitosan nanoparticles decrease cell viability, induce apoptosis and alter metabolomics profile in
Abdulrahman L Al-Malki1, Ashraf Bakkar2, Etimad A Huwait3
1Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Bioactive Natural Products Research Group, King Abdulaziz University. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths globally. Bioavailable, effective and safe therapeutic agents are urgently needed for cancer treatment. This study evaluated the metabolomics profiling, anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of strigol/albumin/chitosan nanoparticles (S/A/CNP) on HepG2 cell line. The diameter of S/A/CNP was (5 ± 0.01) nm. The IC50 was 180.4 nM and 47.6 nM for Strigol1 and S/A/CNP, respectively, after incubation for 24 h with HepG2 cells. By increasing the concentration of S/A/CNP, there was chromatin condensation, degranulation in the cytoplasm and shrinking in cell size indicating pro-apoptotic activity. Metabolomics profiling of the exposed cells by LC/MS/MS revealed that S/A/CNP up-regulated epigenetic intermediates (spermine and spermidine) and down-regulated energy production pathway and significantly decreased glutamine (P < 0.001). These findings demonstrated that S/A/CNP has anti-proliferative, apoptotic effects and modulate energetic, and epigenetic metabolites in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2).
Insights
Strigol/albumin/chitosan nanoparticles (S/A/CNP) show significant anti-cancer effects against hepatocellular carcinoma cells. These nanoparticles effectively reduced cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, offering a promising therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
- Current treatments for HCC often face limitations in efficacy and safety, driving the search for advanced therapeutic agents.
- Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems offer potential for enhanced bioavailability and targeted cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of strigol/albumin/chitosan nanoparticles (S/A/CNP) on the HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.
- To characterize the metabolomic alterations induced by S/A/CNP treatment in HepG2 cells.
- To evaluate the potential of S/A/CNP as a therapeutic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of strigol/albumin/chitosan nanoparticles (S/A/CNP).
- Assessment of anti-proliferative activity using IC50 determination on HepG2 cells.
- Evaluation of pro-apoptotic effects through morphological analysis.
- Metabolomics profiling using LC/MS/MS to analyze metabolic changes in exposed cells.
Main Results:
- S/A/CNP demonstrated potent anti-proliferative effects on HepG2 cells, with a significantly lower IC50 (47.6 nM) compared to Strigol1 (180.4 nM).
- Morphological changes, including chromatin condensation and cell shrinkage, indicated significant pro-apoptotic activity induced by S/A/CNP.
- Metabolomic analysis revealed S/A/CNP up-regulated epigenetic intermediates (spermine, spermidine), down-regulated energy production pathways, and decreased glutamine levels (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Strigol/albumin/chitosan nanoparticles (S/A/CNP) exhibit significant anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties against hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2).
- S/A/CNP effectively modulates key metabolic pathways, including energy production and epigenetic regulation, in HCC cells.
- These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of S/A/CNP as an effective agent for treating hepatocellular carcinoma.
