METHODS: Paclitaxel (PTX) and tamoxifen (TMX) co-loaded chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using the ionic-gelation method and optimized using the Design Expert® software by controlling different material attributes. For selective targeting through CD44-receptors that are heavily expressed on the BC cells and TAMs, the fabricated NPs (PTX-TMX-CS-NPs) were functionalized with hyaluronic acid (HA) as a targeting ligand.
RESULTS: The optimized HA-PTX-TMX-CS-NPs exhibited desired physicochemical properties (PS ~230 nm, PDI 0.30, zeta potential ~21.5 mV), smooth spherical morphology, high encapsulation efficiency (PTX ~72% and TMX ~97%), good colloidal stability, and biphasic release kinetics. Moreover, the lowest cell viability depicted in MCF-7 (~25%), SK-BR-3 (~20%), and RAW 264.7 cells (~20%), induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, enhanced cell internalization, and alleviation of MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 migration proved the superior anticancer potential of HA-PTX-TMX-CS-NPs compared to unfunctionalized NPs and other control medicines.
CONCLUSION: HA-functionalization of NPs is a promising multiprong strategy for CD44-receptors-mediated targeting of BC cells and TAMs to mitigate the progression, metastasis, and relapse in the BC.
METHODS: K562 CML cells were treated with resveratrol, and their effects were analyzed through CCK-8 assay for cell viability, TUNEL assay for DNA fragmentation, and real-time PCR for gene expression. Key apoptotic genes (BCL-2, AIF, BAX) were assessed alongside survival-related genes (CASP3, PGC1α, Cyclin-D1, p53) to evaluate resveratrol's anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic potential.
RESULT: Resveratrol exhibited a time-dependent reduction in K562 cell viability, with IC₅₀ values decreasing from 282.2 µM at 24 hours to 107.1 µM and 102.4 µM at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Apoptotic activity, assessed via the TUNEL assay, revealed significant DNA fragmentation in 55 ± 5% of treated cells, while control cells showed no fragmentation. Gene expression analysis demonstrated upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes, including BCL-2, AIF (p < 0.05), BAX (p < 0.01), and VDAC1 (4.5-fold, p < 0.001). Conversely, genes linked to cell survival and metabolism, such as CASP3, PGC1α, NDUFA9, Cyclin-D1, and p53, were slightly downregulated (p < 0.05), highlighting resveratrol's dual role in promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cell survival.
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that resveratrol exerts anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in CML cells by modulating key genes and induction of DNA fragmentation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for CML treatment.