Nanoarchitectonics of the Effects of Curcumin Carbon Dot-Decorated Chitosan Nanoparticles on Proliferation and Apoptosis-Related Gene Expressions in HepG2 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Abstract

This study examines the potential anticancer properties of curcumin carbon nanodot-decorated chitosan nanoparticles (CCM@CD/CS-NP) in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. CCM@CD/CS-NPs were synthesized, and their size, morphology, and elemental analysis were characterized. The combination of curcumin carbon dots and chitosan in the form of a nanoparticle has a number of benefits, including improved solubility and bioavailability of curcumin, enhanced stability and biocompatibility of carbon dots, and sustained release of the drug due to the mucoadhesive properties of chitosan. The purpose of this research was to examine the efficacy of curcumin carbon dot-decorated chitosan nanoparticles as an anticancer agent in the treatment of HepG2 cell lines. The cell proliferation and apoptosis-related gene expressions in HepG2 cells were assessed to investigate the potential use of nanoparticles in vitro. The IC50 value for the inhibitory effect of CCM@CD/CS-NPs on cell growth and proliferation was determined to be 323.61 μg/mL at 24 h and 267.73 μg/mL at 48 h. Increased caspase-3 and -9 activation shows that CCM@CD/CS-NPs promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells. It was also shown that the overexpression of Bax and the downregulation of Bcl-2 were responsible for the apoptotic impact of CCM@CD/CS-NPs. The nanoparticles have been shown to have minimal toxicity to normal liver cells, indicating their potential as a safe and effective treatment for HepG2. These novel nanomaterials effectively suppressed tumor development and boosted the rate of apoptotic cell death.

Exploring the Potential of Thymoquinone-Stabilized Selenium Nanoparticles: In HEC1B Endometrial Cancer Cells Revealing Enhanced Anticancer Efficacy

“…Nanoparticle forms of drugs have started to be preferred more than traditional drug forms because they offer improved safety. In these type of drugs, mainly Se, Ag, Au, and Zn metals and chitosan are used, with the size of 12–140 nm, an average of 80 nm, of 84 nm, an average of 8 nm, and an average of 60 nm, respectively …”

“…In these type of drugs, mainly Se, Ag, Au, and Zn metals and chitosan are used, with the size of 12−140 nm, 47 an average of 80 nm, 48 of 84 nm, 49 an average of 8 nm, 50 and an average of 60 nm, respectively. 51 We see selenium (Se) in human metabolism as selenocysteine in various antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase. Se is necessary for the biochemical activities of these enzymes.…”

“…In these type of drugs, mainly Se, Ag, Au, and Zn metals and chitosan are used, with the size of 12–140 nm, 47 an average of 80 nm, 48 of 84 nm, 49 an average of 8 nm, 50 and an average of 60 nm, respectively. 51 …”