Synthesis, Characterization, and In-Vitro Evaluation of Silibinin-loaded PEGylated Niosomal Nanoparticles - Potential Anti-Cancer Effects on SW480 Colon Cancer Cells - Research Article

Q: What is the main objective of the study?

To develop a PEGylated niosomal drug delivery system for silibinin and evaluate its anti-proliferative effects on human colorectal cancer cell lines.

Q: How were the silibinin-loaded PEGylated niosomal nanoparticles prepared and characterized?

NIO-SIL nanoparticles were fabricated by the thin-film hydration method and characterized using dialysis bag, AFM, SEM, DLS, and FTIR analyses.

Q: What effects did NIO-SIL and pure silibinin show on cancer cells?

Both treatments reduced cancer-cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and caused cell-cycle arrest, with no significant negative effects reported on human normal cells.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by River Wang

Colorectal cancer presents a major global mortality challenge, and silibinin, a milk-thistle-derived compound with anticancer properties, is limited by poor aqueous solubility. A PEGylated niosomal delivery system was formulated to enhance silibinin solubility and assess anti-proliferative effects on human colorectal cancer cells. Thin-film hydration produced NIO-SIL, characterized by multiple analytical techniques. Treatment outcomes included reduced proliferation, induced apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, and gene-expression shifts in Bax, Bcl-2, p53, and cyclin D1, without notable adverse effects on normal cells.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

RESEARCH ARTICLE Editorial Process: Submission:04/09/2024 Acceptance:07/17/2024 Synthesis, Characterization, and In-Vitro Evaluation of Silibinin-loaded PEGylatedNiosomal Nanoparticles: Potential Anti-Cancer Effects on SW480 Colon Cancer Cells Urjwan Alali1, Maha Mohammed Kadhim Al-Tu’ma2, Ammar Fadhil Jawad3, Saja Talib Ahmed4, Hanaa Addai Ali4, Siham Abdulzehra5, Fadhil Jawad Al-Tu’ma6 * Abstract Objective: Colorectal cancer is a significant global health concern with high mortality rates. Silibinin is a compound derived from milk thistle with anticancer properties and may be a potential treatment option for colorectal cancer. Its poor solubility limits its clinical application, but various strategies, such as nanoparticle encapsulation, have shown promise. In this study, a PEGylated niosomal drug delivery system was used to enhance the solubility ofsilibinin, and its anti-proliferative effects were evaluated against human colorectal cancer cell lines. Methods: The silibinin-loaded PEGylated niosomal nanoparticles (NIO-SIL) were fabricated using the thin-film hydration method and characterized with dialysis bag, AFM, SEM, DLS, and FTIR systems. Finally, the cancerous cells and human normal cells were treated with NIO-SILand pure silibinin. The proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of these cells were evaluated. Subsequently, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, p53, and cyclin D1 genes was measured using real-time PCR. Result: The drug release profile, size, morphology, and chemical interactions ofthe synthesized PEGylatedniosomal nanoparticles were suitable for use as a drug delivery system. Both pure silibinin and NIO-SIL could reduce the proliferation of cancerous cells, induce apoptosis, and cause cell cycle arrest, with no significant negative effects reported on human normal cells. Both pure silibinin and NIO-SIL reduced the expression of the Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 genes while increasing the expression of Bax and p53 . (p-value < 0.05 *) . Conclusion: The outcomes ofthis study indicate the high potential of PEGylatedniosomal nanoparticles for encapsulation and delivery ofsilibininto cancer cells, with no negative effects on normal cells. Keywords: Colorectal cancer-Silibinin-Niosome-Nanoparticle-PEGylated Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 25 (7), 2539-2550 Introduction Colorectal cancer is a significant public health concern and one of the most prevalent cancers with high fatality rates [1]. The incidence of colon cancer has been rapidly increasing in recent decades in Asian countries, making it the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Korea [2] . In 2020, 1.15 million new cases of colon cancer were reported globally, accounting for about 60% of all colorectal cancer cases [3]. Additionally, there has been an increase in the prevalence of cancers (3.3% to 11.1% depending on types) among diagnosed individuals with colorectal cancer [4] . The examination of cancer at a cellular level has uncovered chromosomal instability as a critical factor linked to disease progression and survival outcomes [5] . Detailed analysis focusing on alterations in DNA copy numbers has revealed that over 85% of cancers exhibit chromosomal abnormalities, emphasizing how crucial chromosomal instability is, within this particular typeof cancer [6] . Moreover, the presence and activity of proteins, for repairing DNA double strand breaks, ATM and BRCA1 have been associated with predicting the likelihood of survival in individuals with colorectal cancer. This connection highlights the significance of instability, in influencing patient outcomes [7]. Additionally, the study highlighted the occurrence of chromosomal aberrationsin colorectal tumors, further underlining the role of 1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq. 2Department of Anesthesia Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques, Al-Zahraa University for Women, Kerbala, Iraq. 3Department of Pharmacogne

FAQs

What is the main objective of the study?

To develop a PEGylated niosomal drug delivery system for silibinin and evaluate its anti-proliferative effects on human colorectal cancer cell lines.

How were the silibinin-loaded PEGylated niosomal nanoparticles prepared and characterized?

NIO-SIL nanoparticles were fabricated by the thin-film hydration method and characterized using dialysis bag, AFM, SEM, DLS, and FTIR analyses.

What effects did NIO-SIL and pure silibinin show on cancer cells?

Both treatments reduced cancer-cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and caused cell-cycle arrest, with no significant negative effects reported on human normal cells.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by River Wang