Effects of Nano-Niosomal Curcumin on Survival, Migration and DNA Fragmentation on A549 Lung Cancer Cells

Document Type : Full Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Basic Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

5 Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Active plant compounds, such as curcumin, are increasingly being used to treat cancer because of their anti-cancer properties and lower side effects. To further evaluate the potential of curcumin-loaded niosomal nanoparticles (CM-NP) as a drug delivery system, this study investigated the effect on cell survival and migration, as well as DNA damage, in the resistant lung cancer cell line A549 in comparison to the effect of free curcumin (CM). Methods: The A549 cells were treated with CM and CM-NP and evaluated by MTT, DNA fragmentation and cell migration methods. To determine the IC50 of the drugs as well as cell proliferation and survival, the cells were exposed to different concentrations of CM and CM-NP for 24, 48 and 72 hours. To assess DNA fragmentation, cells were stained with an acridine-orange solution. The cells were then observed and counted under a fluorescence microscope. To evaluate the inhibitory effects of CM and CM-NP on the migration of A549 cells, a wound healing migration model was used. Results: Treatment with both CM and CM-NP significantly decreased A549 cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner (P<0.05). The IC50s values of CM-NP and CM in the A549 cells were 107.2 and 39.48 µg/mL, respectively, after 24 hours. The IC50 of CM-NP significantly increased in the A549 cells with fragmented DNA compared to those in the free CM and control groups after 24 hours (P<0.01). Migration of the A549 cell was significantly lower in the CM-NP group than in the CM group, and this difference was influenced by both dose and duration of treatment (P<0.01). Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that curcumin nanonaniosomes can be used as efficient carriers for the delivery of curcumin for the medical treatment of lung cancer.

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Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 01 February 2025
  • Receive Date: 02 November 2024
  • Revise Date: 31 January 2025
  • Accept Date: 01 February 2025