Synergistic Effect of Quercetin Magnetite Nanoparticles and Targeted Radiotherapy in Treatment of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Quercetin is a potent cancer therapeutic agent present in fruits and vegetables. The pharmaceutical uses of quercetin are limited due to many problems associated with low solubility, bioavailability, permeability, and instability. In addition, the high doses of quercetin show toxic effects in clinical and experimental studies. Therefore, a new strategy is warranted to overcome these problems without the use of toxic doses. The iron oxide nanoparticles can be used as a drug delivery system. This study aimed to prepare quercetin-conjugated magnetite nanoparticles (QMNPs) using biological simple nanoprecipitation and mediated by fungus Aspergillus oryzae. Also, we initiated in vitro and in vivo studies to determine whether QMNPs might sensitize breast cancer to radiotherapy treatment. The structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of the prepared nanoparticles were studied. The results indicated that QMNPs were spherical in shape and 40 nm in diameter. The in vitro studies showed that the incubation of MCF-7, HePG-2, and A459 cancer cells with QMNPs for 24 h effectively inhibited the growth of cancer cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 11, 77.5, and104 nmol/mL, respectively. The combination of QMNPs with irradiation (IR) potently blocked MCF-7 cancer cell proliferation and showed significant changes in the morphology of these cells as observed by bright-field inverted light microscopy. Focusing on the long-term toxicity of QMNPs (20 ml/kg), the assessment of hematological, hepatic, and renal markers indicated no toxic effect. Besides, QMNPs inhibited tumor growth and potently enhanced the lateral radiotherapy treatment in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced breast cancer in female white albino rats. These anticancer and radiosensitizing activities were ascribed to cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, immunomodulation, and efficiency through induction of apoptosis. In a conclusion, these observations suggest that the QMNPs combined with LRT could act as a potential targeted therapy in breast cancer.

Polysaccharides (pectin, mucilage, and fructan inulin) and their fermented products: A critical analysis of their biochemical, gut interactions, and biological functions as antidiabetic agents

“…One of the antidiabetic therapeutic approaches focuses on the inhibition of carbohydrate‐hydrolyzing enzymes such as α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase in the digestive system (Askar et al, 2022; El‐Shawi et al, 2023). The inhibitors of these enzymes evoke a marked reduction of the glucose absorption rate and consequently attenuate the postprandial hyperglycemia (Chiasson, 2006).…”

Synergestic effect of gallic acid lipid nanoparticles to improve the physiochemical property and cellular uptake against MDA MB 231 Cancer cell line: Apoptosis, signaling pathway and cytotoxicity

“…Once the experiment was carried out three times, the average number of viable cells was determined. The percentage of viable cells and dilution were displayed on a graph [19,20]. The information was presented as a percentage of relative viability for vehicle control.…”

In Vitro Antioxidant and In Vivo Hepatoprotective Properties of Wissadula periplocifolia Extract

“…Our ancestors were totally dependent on a wide variety of plants to treat themselves from disease until the introduction of synthetic medicines. – It is found that almost 2000 racial groups all over the world have their own unique medical understanding and experience. , This is because some vital components that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are used in certain physiologic conditions . There were 90 drugs that are commercially available or approved worldwide in the period of 1982 to 2002, and 79% of them were from natural sources. – Still a large portion of the population use medicinal plants as primary source to treat different diseases such as fever, pain, inflammation, diarrhea, and many other illnesses. , …”