Toxic effect of C60 fullerene-doxorubicin complex towards tumor and normal cells in vitro

A nanocomplex of C60 fullerene with cisplatin: design, characterization and toxicity

The self-organization of C₆₀ fullerene and cisplatin in aqueous solution was investigated using the computer simulation, dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy techniques. The results evidence the complexation between the two compounds. The genotoxicity of С₆₀ fullerene, Cis and their complex was evaluated in vitro with the comet assay using human resting lymphocytes and lymphocytes after blast transformation. The cytotoxicity of the mentioned compounds was estimated by Annexin V/PI double staining followed by flow cytometry. The results clearly demonstrate that water-soluble C₆₀ fullerene nanoparticles (0.1 mg/mL) do not induce DNA strand breaks in normal and transformed cells. C₆₀ fullerene in the mixture with Cis does not influence genotoxic Cis activity in vitro, affects the cell-death mode in treated resting human lymphocytes and reduces the fraction of necrotic cells.

C60 fullerene as synergistic agent in tumor-inhibitory Doxorubicin treatment

Background

Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most potent anticancer drugs, but its successful use is hampered by high toxicity caused mainly by generation of reactive oxygen species. One approach to protect against Dox-dependent chemical insult is combined use of the cytostatic drug with antioxidants. C₆₀ fullerene has a nanostructure with both antioxidant and antitumor potential and may be useful in modulating cell responses to Dox.

Objective

The aim of this study was to estimate the antitumor effect and antioxidant enzyme activity of combined C₆₀ fullerene and Dox (C₆₀ + Dox) in the liver and heart of mice with Lewis lung carcinoma compared with Dox treatment alone.

Methods

Highly stable pristine C₆₀ fullerene aqueous colloid solution (concentration 1.0 mg/ml, average hydrodynamic diameter of nanoparticles 50 nm) was used in the study and characterized by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). The in vivo investigation of C₆₀-Dox action was performed via the standard methods of histological and enzyme activity analyses.

Results

Dox (total dose 2.5 mg/kg) combined with C₆₀ fullerene (total dose 25 mg/kg) in tumor-bearing animals resulted in tumor growth inhibition, prolongation of life, metastasis inhibition, and increased number of apoptotic tumor cells and was more effective than the corresponding course of Dox treatment alone. C₆₀ fullerene demonstrated a protective effect against superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase inhibition induced by Dox-dependent oxidative insult in the liver and heart.

Conclusion

Combined treatment with C₆₀ + Dox is considered to be a promising approach for cancer chemotherapy.