Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani University, Isfahan, Iran
3
Nanobiotechnology Research Center, New Health Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although chemotherapeutic agents such as tamoxifen are widely employed, their therapeutic efficacy is often limited by poor bioavailability and adverse side effects. Combining tamoxifen with curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound with well-documented anticancer potential, may enhance treatment outcomes through synergistic interactions. However, the clinical application of both agents is restricted due to issues such as low solubility and rapid degradation. To address these challenges, niosomal nanoparticles were designed and evaluated for the codelivery of tamoxifen and curcumin.
Materials and Methods: To fabricate niosomal nanoparticles, various surfactants (Span 20, Span 60, and Span 80) in combination with cholesterol were used to optimize particle size, stability, and encapsulation efficiency. The formulations were characterized for morphology, particle size distribution, zeta potential, and drug loading capacity using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, in vitro drug release studies were performed under physiological (pH 7.4) and acidic (pH 5) conditions to simulate the tumor microenvironment. Cytotoxicity of the formulations was assessed using MCF-7 breast cancer cells and HEK-293 normal cells via the MTT Assay.
Results: The optimized niosomal formulation demonstrated high stability, efficient dual-drug encapsulation, and a controlled release profile. Cytotoxicity studies showed that Tmx/Cur-loaded niosomes exhibited stronger inhibitory effects on MCF-7 cells compared to free drug solutions, while demonstrating low toxicity toward HEK-293 cells. The physicochemical characterization confirmed uniform particle morphology and favorable zeta potential values, supporting the stability of the prepared niosomes.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that niosomal nanoparticles provide a promising carrier system for the co-delivery of tamoxifen and curcumin in breast cancer therapy, enhancing anticancer efficacy while minimizing adverse effects associated with conventional chemotherapy.
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