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MVs and MVs-Crocin as Novel Therapeutic Agents for Lung Cancer, Apoptosis, and Gene Regulation

Hosein Keshavaerz1, Bita Zand1, Leila Sadat Nilchiani1

  • 1Department of cellular and molecular Biology, TeMS.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
|April 6, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles (MVs), especially when preconditioned with Crocin (MVs-Crocin), effectively reduce lung cancer cell survival and induce apoptosis. These findings highlight MVs as promising agents for novel lung cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Lung cancer remains a leading global malignancy.
  • Mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives show potential in cancer therapy.
  • This study explores microvesicles (MVs) from stem cells and Crocin-preconditioned MVs (MVs-Crocin) against lung cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the anti-cancer effects of MVs and MVs-Crocin on A549 lung cancer cells.
  • To compare the efficacy of MVs and MVs-Crocin against normal HEK293 cells.
  • To investigate the mechanism of action, focusing on apoptosis induction.

Main Methods:

  • Mesenchymal stem cells were preconditioned with Crocin.
  • Microvesicles (MVs) and MVs-Crocin were isolated and their optimal concentrations determined via MTT assay.
  • Lung cancer (A549) and normal (HEK293) cells were treated, followed by apoptosis assessment (flow cytometry) and gene expression analysis (real-time PCR).

Main Results:

  • Optimal concentrations were identified as 40 μg/ml for MVs and 50 μg/ml for MVs-Crocin.
  • Both MVs and MVs-Crocin significantly decreased A549 cell viability.
  • Apoptosis assays and gene expression data confirmed increased apoptosis in treated cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • MVs and MVs-Crocin exhibit significant anti-cancer properties against lung cancer cells.
  • Crocin preconditioning enhances the therapeutic potential of MVs.
  • The observed effects are more pronounced in cancer cells, suggesting selective therapeutic action.
Keywords:
Mesenchymal stem cellsapoptosiscrocinlung cancermicrovesiclespreconditioning.

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