Investigating the cell proliferation and migration inhibition by cerium oxide nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin in MDA-MB-۲۳۱ cell line

Objective(s): Cerium oxide nanoparticles (Ceo۲ NPs) are considered one of the most effective nanomaterials for drug delivery. The current study aimed to investigate the anticancer activities of doxorubicin-loaded Ceo۲ NPs (DOX-Ceo۲ NPs) against the MDA-MB-۲۳۱ human breast cancer cell line.Materials and Methods: Ceo۲ NPs were synthesized using the GREEN synthesis method and loaded with DOX (DOX-Ceo۲ NPs). The physicochemical properties of the Ceo۲ NPs were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, DLS, zeta potential, and electron microscopy (SEM/TEM). Cultured MDA-MB-۲۳۱ cells were treated with different concentrations of bare Ceo۲ NPs, free DOX, and DOX-Ceo۲ NPs. In addition, HDF cells were treated with different concentrations of Ceo۲ NPs. MTT, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays were performed to determine the cell viability, migration, and apoptosis, respectively. qPCR was performed to investigate the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, including caspase (CASP) ۳, ۸, ۹, and Bcl-۲. Results: The XRD and FTIR results confirmed the synthesis of pure and crystalline structured- Ceo۲ NPs. The average size, PDI, and zeta potential of the Ceo۲ NPs were approximately ۲۳۹.۱ nm, ۰.۰۷۴, and -۹.۰۴ mV, respectively. In vitro assays showed that DOX-Ceo۲ NPs exhibited higher cell proliferation inhibition, migration suppression, and apoptosis induction through the upregulation of CASP۳, CASP۸, and CASP۹ genes and downregulation of Bcl-۲. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate the potential of Ceo۲ NPs for the efficient delivery of DOX and, subsequently, the improvement of its anticancer activities. Therefore, DOX-Ceo۲ NPs have the potential to be proposed as promising anticancer agents for breast cancer.

Keywords:

Breast Cancer , Cerium oxide nanoparticles , Doxorubicin , Drug Delivery