In Vitro MCF-7 Cells Apoptosis Analysis of Carboplatin Loaded Silk Fibroin Particles

Abstract

Breast cancer ranks as the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. Chemotherapy is commonly used directly or as neo-adjuvant therapy for the management of breast cancer with its attendant adverse effects, underscoring the need to develop biocompatible bioactive compounds for pharmacological applications. The aim of this study is to encapsulate carboplatin (CP) with silk fibroin protein (SF) by using an ionic gelation method as a drug carrier system and assess the apoptotic effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells during in vitro studies. The characterization of silk fibroin encapsulated carboplatin (SFCP) microparticles was analyzed by FTIR spectrophotometer, SEM, Mastersizer, and biodegradation methods. The encapsulation efficiency and release profile of SFCP microparticles were analyzed by an indirect UV–Vis spectrophotometric method. An apoptotic screening of MCF-7 cells was carried out with 10–200 µg/mL CP loaded SFCP, which were cultured for 24, 48, and 72 h. Data were analyzed using the Student’s t test and analysis of variance. FTIR and drug release studies confirmed an interaction of silk fibroin with the carboplatin moiety. SFCP showed successful encapsulation of the carboplatin moiety. Apoptotic screening showed a dose dependent increase in absorbance, indicating significant cell death (p < 0.05). Thus, the direct apoptotic effect of SFCP microparticles on MCF-7 was confirmed.

Antitumor activities of carboplatin–doxorubicin–ZnO complexes in different human cancer cell lines (breast, cervix uteri, colon, liver and oral) under UV exposition

“…Target cell Drug carrier Therapeutic agents Smith et al [1] Human retinoblastoma -Carboplatin ¼ 50 mg/mL Galam et al [2] Human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) Silk fibroin Carboplatin ¼ 10-200 lg/mL Ouyang et al [3] Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) Human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7)…”

“…Furthermore, the dosage of chemo drugs required to reach the targeted tumour site, which is associated with variations in individual patients, tumour microenvironments and complications in the molecular biology of cancer, is still under debate (Table 1). Sometimes, administering single chemo drugs for a long period of time is a challenging task because of the development of chemoresistance and severe side effects [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. A double-chemo drug regimen is sufficient for very small tumours [14][15][16][17][18], whereas other chemo drugs might be used if these methodologies are not effective [19,20].…”

“…A double-chemo drug regimen is sufficient for very small tumours [14][15][16][17][18], whereas other chemo drugs might be used if these methodologies are not effective [19,20]. Meanwhile, some research progress has been made in nanoparticle-assisted drug delivery systems with different dosages for better treatment of cancer [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. To further improve the killing effect in the tumour microenvironment, a minimum dosage of multiple drug-loaded nanoparticles is a favoured modality for longterm anticancer therapy.…”

“…showed that CP-loaded silk fibroin particles had an IC 50 of 10-200 lg/mL in MCF-7 cells[2]. Ouyang et al reported that DOX-loaded pectin nanoparticles had an IC 50 of 1-5 lg/ mL in MCF-7 cells[3].…”

Intravitreal Injectable Hydrogels for Sustained Drug Delivery in Glaucoma Treatment and Therapy

“…Silk fibroin is a fibrous protein that exhibits favorable biocompatibility, bioresorbability, low immunogenicity, and hydrophilicity, promoting its increasing consideration in hydrogel design. It is also rich in β-sheet structures, owing to hydrophobic domains that influence its biodegradability rate [58], as well as its cytological compatibility [59]. Silk fibroin proteins have been used for ocular therapies such as wound healing [60], ocular drug delivery [61], and ocular prostheses [62].…”