Maryam Yavari - Department of Immunology & Microbiology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Mahmoud Reza Jaafari - Nanotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Farshad Mirzavi - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Ghasem Mosayebi - Department of Immunology & Microbiology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Ali Ghazavi - Department of Immunology & Microbiology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Ali Ganji - Department of Immunology & Microbiology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

Objective(s): This study aimed to develop a nanoliposomal formulation containing ginger ethanolic extract with a higher therapeutic effect for cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: The present study aimed to prepare PEGylated nanoliposomal ginger through the thin film hydration method plus extrusion. Physicochemical characteristics were evaluated, and the toxicity of the prepared liposomes was assessed using the MTT assay. In addition, tumor size was monitored in colorectal cancer-bearing mice. Also, the anticancer effects of liposomal ginger were evaluated by gene expression assay of Bax and Bcl-۲ and cytokines including TNF-α, TGF-β, and IFN-γ by Real-time PCR. Also, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg cells) were counted in spleen and tumor tissue by flow cytometry assay.Results: The nanoliposomes’ particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) were ۹۴.۹۵ nm and ۰.۲۴۶ nm, respectively. High encapsulation capacity (۸۰ %) confirmed the technique’s efficiency, and the release rate of the extract was ۸۵% at pH ۶.۵. In addition, this study showed that liposomal ginger at ۱۰۰ mg/kg/day enhanced the expression of Bax (P<۰.۰۵) and IFN-γ (P<۰.۰۱) compared with ginger extract in the mouse model. Also, the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and CTLs cell count in tumor tissue showed a significant increase in the LipGin group compared with the Gin group (P<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: Results indicated that the liposomal ginger enhanced the antitumor activity; therefore, the prepared liposomal ginger can be used in future clinical trials.

Bax protein, Colorectal cancer, ginger, Interferon-gamma, Liposomes