Salicin-Loaded Polyvinyl Alcohol– and Eudragit® E–Based Nanocarriers to Improve Anticancer Activity Against Human MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Studies have been done on salicin (SA), which is a strong anti-inflammatory. Angiogenesis is an important mechanism for the growth of cancer, and inhibiting it is an effective antitumor treatment method. However, its widespread use in treating cancer is constrained by its poor bioavailability at tumor locations and inferior pharmacokinetics. The present investigation aimed to synthesize salicin-loaded nanoparticles (SANPs) and evaluate the antitumor potential of the SANPs using human MCF-7 cancer cells. SANPs were developed using the nanoprecipitation method, and they were examined using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). SANPs provide a persistent pattern of drug delivery, as shown by the UV spectroscopic measurement of the in vitro drug release. SANPs were discovered to be more cytotoxic than free SA in MCF-7 cells using an MTT-based colorimetric test. In addition, in contrast to treatment with free SA in MCF-7 cells, treatment with SANPs dramatically enhanced the lipid peroxidation status (TBARS) values (P < 0.05) and intracellular ROS, and lowered GSH levels. Additionally, it was found that cancer cells had considerably changed apoptotic indicators, such as nuclear fragmentation and membrane blebbing, and mitochondrial membrane potential after being treated with SANPs. Together, the current study shows that the produced SANPs and free SA have anticancer potential in vitro in breast cancer cells.