Curcumin Loaded in Niosomal Nanoparticles Improved the Anti-tumor Effects of Free Curcumin on Glioblastoma Stem-like Cells: an In Vitro Study

Abstract

Using a novel curcumin-loaded niosome nanoparticle (CM-NP), the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of curcumin on human glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs). CM-NP has a diameter of~60 nm and a zeta potential of~− 35 mV with a constant physicochemical stability. The cytotoxic effects of free curcumin (CM) and CM-NP were investigated on GSCs obtained during the removal of a brain tumor. Both CM and CM-NP caused a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation and viability of GSCs. The IC50 values of CM and CM-NP on GSCs were 50 and 137 μg/ml after 24 h, respectively. CM-NP exerted significantly higher effects on GSC viability, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and the expression of Bax, a proapoptotic marker, compared with CM. In addition, the migration of GSCs was significantly impaired following the administration of CM-NP compared with CM. Furthermore, CM-NP significantly increased the values of reactive oxygen species and decreased the mRNA expressions of NF-κB and IL-6 of GSCs compared with CM. Our data also revealed that CM-NP could significantly reduce the invasiveness of GSCs compared with CM, possibly via MCP-1-mediated pathways. In addition, CM-NP exhibited a significantly greater inhibitory effect on colony formation of GSCs compared with CM. These data indicate that CM-NP exhibited stronger anti-tumor effects on GSCs than CM. Although further in vivo investigations are warranted, our results suggest that CM-NP could be an ideal carrier to deliver curcumin for potential therapeutic approaches into glioblastoma.

The Multi-Faceted Effect of Curcumin in Glioblastoma from Rescuing Cell Clearance to Autophagy-Independent Effects

“…Compelling evidence indicates that curcumin and curcuminoids counteract GBM malignant phenotype and aggressiveness by targeting ATG within GSCs. In this way, curcumin modulates GSC cell biology, including proliferation, viability, migration, and invasion [ 55 , 87 , 88 ].…”

Minocycline in Treating Glioblastoma Multiforme: Far beyond a Conventional Antibiotic

“…Numerous studies have found that the function of NF- κ B not only stimulates the growth of tumor cells, prevents apoptosis, and induces angiogenesis [ 42 , 43 ], but also contributes to epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), making metastases faster (through matrix metalloproteinases [MMP] upregulation) [ 44 ]. In line with this, minocycline prevents NF- κ B activation and nuclear translocation, which inhibits the target-gene expression of MMP-9 in breast and ovarian cancer cells, resulting in reduced cell fusion frequency [ 33 , 35 ].…”

Curcumin Loaded Nanoliposomes Localization by Nanoscale Characterization

“…To improve the bioavailability of fragile and hydrophobic drugs, nanocarriers have been developed to protect the encapsulated drug from enzymatic degradation, provide controlled release, alter their pharmacokinetics, prolong their residence in plasma, and improve their cytoprotective and antioxidant effects [ 12 , 13 ]. The targeted delivery and cellular internalization of curcumin are also improved by its encapsulation in nanoparticles and nanoemulsions [ 14 ]. It is important, however, that the chosen nanocarrier is non-toxic and biodegradable, as well as able to provide a high drug loading efficiency and a controlled drug release, while presenting additional biological benefits when administered with the drug.…”