Curcumin and Silibinin loaded pegylated nanoniosome for cancer therapy: bioinformatics and in vitro study.

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer that poses significant treatment challenges with conventional therapies. Innovative therapeutic approaches, including the use of phytochemicals and nanoparticles, are being explored to enhance treatment efficacy.

METHODS

This study investigates the potential of PEGylated niosomes to enhance the antitumor effects of Silibinin and Curcumin against TNBC. PEGylated niosomes were synthesized using the thin-film hydration technique. Their size, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characteristics, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release profiles, MTT, and apoptosis testmtt were subsequently evaluated. Additionally, bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the interactions between Curcumin, Silibinin, and key proteins involved in breast cancer.

RESULTS

The synthesized niosomes demonstrated a consistent release pattern over 72 h, achieving a high encapsulation efficiency of 90% for Silibinin and 87% for Curcumin. The niosomes exhibited a uniform size distribution with an average diameter of 50 nm. Bioinformatics analysis using STITCH, UniProt, and Cytoscape revealed that Curcumin and Silibinin interact with critical proteins associated with breast cancer, such as EGFR, STAT3, and TP53, which influence pathways related to cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. In vitro tests on MDA-MB-231 cells indicated that dual-drug niosomes significantly reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis, and inhibited cell proliferation compared to single-drug niosomes and free drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that PEGylated niosomes encapsulating Silibinin and Curcumin may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for treating TNBC, as they target multiple cellular pathways and enhance drug delivery.