Anti-tumor Effect of Quercetin Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles on Induced Colon Cancer in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the site-specific drug delivery of 5-FU with chitosan (CS) as a carrier and quercetin (Qu) against induced colon cancer in Wistar rats. Methods: Cross-linked CS-Qu nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by ionotropic gelation method. Physicochemical characterization of NPs was performed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), in vitro drug release, and drug loading efficiency (LE). 1, 2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) were applied to induce adenocarcinoma tumors on inbred male Wistar rats’ colon. The treatment group of rats was administered through enema with NPs dispersion. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to the histopathological examination of tumors. Results: Zeta potential and particle size for NPs were +53.5 ± 5 mV and 179 ± 28 nm, respectively. About 96% Qu LE was obtained with a maximum release of 5.63 ±1.59% and 4.62 ± 1.33% after 24 hours in PB solution with pH values of 6 and 7.4, respectively. The numbers of 8 to 21 tumors were observed in all rats administered with DMH and DSS. Significantly decreasing of microvascular density and mitosis count was detected in the treatment group in comparison with cancerous group (P = 0.032 for the former compared to P = 0.016 for the later), respectively. Furthermore, the treatment group showed a high apoptosis rate (P = 0.038). Conclusion: The developed Qu-loaded CS NPs were good candidates for site-specific and sustained drug release in enema treatment. Decreasing of microvascular density and mitosis count, along with increasing the apoptosis percent in the treatment group proved that the NPs could have promising results in site-specific and sustained drug delivery against colorectal cancer.

An insight into anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin: a review

“…Rats were provided with NPs in the form of an enema. Results revealed high encapsulation efficiency of quercetin with an increased release profile up to 24 h. A decrease in microvascular density and mitosis rate was noticed in all the treatment groups as compared to the control group, confirming the promising nature of NPs in site-specific colorectal cancer [ 55 ].…”

Synthesis and characterization of CuO nanoparticles stabilized by quercetin and its application for anti-breast cancer activity

“…Currently, breast cancer ( MCF-7 is the acronym of Michigan Cancer Foundation-7, referring to the institute in Detroit where the cell line by Herbert Soule and co-workers) cells are primarily treated via surgical resection and numerous adjuvant chemotherapy drugs utilized as a part of the treatment protocol particularly in instances of early finding [17][18]. Evaluate the site-specific drug delivery of 5-FU with chitosan (CS) as a carrier and quercetin (Qu) against induced colon cancer in Wistar rats [19]. However, modern medical research in effective cancer therapy faces many challenges like the mechanisms, tumor, and the restrictions related to utilized cancer therapeutic options [20].…”

Combined and targeted drugs delivery system for colorectal cancer treatment: Conatumumab decorated, reactive oxygen species sensitive irinotecan prodrug and quercetin co-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers

“…Drugs loaded NLC was centrifugated (15,000 rpm, 10 min) to separate the unloaded drugs. The amount of Q was determined by UV-Vis spectrometry (at λmax of 370 nm) (Rashedi et al., 2019 ). The amount of I was separated by a C18 column (200 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm).…”