Antibreast Cancer Activity of Aspirin-Conjugated Chalcone Polymeric Micelles

Recent Progress in Nanotechnology Improving the Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols for Cancer

Polyphenols derived from fruits, vegetables, and plants are bioactive compounds potentially beneficial to human health. Notably, compounds such as quercetin, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and resveratrol have been highlighted as antiproliferative agents for cancer. Due to their low solubility and limited bioavailability, some alternative nanotechnologies have been applied to encapsulate these compounds, aiming to improve their efficacy against cancer. In this comprehensive review, we evaluate the main nanotechnology approaches to improve the therapeutic potential of polyphenols against cancer using in vitro studies and in vivo preclinical models, highlighting recent advancements in the field. It was found that polymeric nanomaterials, lipid-based nanomaterials, inorganic nanomaterials, and carbon-based nanomaterials are the most used classes of nanocarriers for encapsulating polyphenols. These delivery systems exhibit enhanced antitumor activity and pro-apoptotic effects, particularly against breast, lung, prostate, cervical, and colorectal cancer cells, surpassing the performance of free bioactive compounds. Preclinical trials in xenograft animal models have revealed decreased tumor growth after treatment with polyphenol-loaded delivery systems. Moreover, the interaction of polyphenol co-delivery systems and polyphenol-drug delivery systems is a promising approach to increase anticancer activity and decrease chemotherapy side effects. These innovative approaches hold significant implications for the advancement of clinical cancer research.

Potential anticancer effect of aspirin and 2'-hydroxy-2,3,5'-trimethoxychalcone-linked polymeric micelles against cervical cancer through apoptosis

Although early diagnosis and treatment of cancers in women are achievable through continuous diagnostic tests, cervical cancer (CVC) still has a high mortality rate. In the present study, we investigated whether certain nanoparticles (NPs), comprising aspirin conjugated 2′-hydroxy-2,3,5′-trimethoxychalcone chemicals, could induce the apoptosis of cancer cells. HeLa cells were treated with NPs and the cell viability was evaluated using WST-1 assay. Protein expression of Ki-67 was measured using immunocytochemistry. In addition, the apoptotic effect of NPs was determined using TUNEL assay. To investigate the apoptosis signaling pathways, reverse transcription quantitative PCR was performed and lipid accumulation was observed via holotomographic microscopy. The IC₅₀ value of the NPs was 4.172 µM in HeLa cells. Furthermore, 10 µM NPs significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and stimulated the apoptosis of HeLa cells. In addition, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction were induced by the NPs through lipid accumulation in HeLa cells, leading to apoptotic signaling cascades. Taken together, the results from the present study demonstrated that the NPs developed promoted apoptosis though efficient lipid accumulation in HeLa cells, suggesting that they may provide a novel way to improve the efficacy of CVC anticancer treatment.