Anticancer Evaluation of Methotrexate and Curcumin-Coencapsulated Niosomes Against Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present investigation was to develop niosomes containing both curcumin (CUR) and methotrexate (MTX). Also, the combinational effect of CUR and MTX in both free and niosomal forms on growth inhibition potential and induction of apoptosis in the HCT-116 cell line were exploited. Materials & methods: Niosomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration method and their physicochemical properties were determined by various techniques. Cellular uptake, cell apoptosis, wound healing and MTT assay were conducted to ascertain niosomes’ feasibility for cancer therapy. Results: The combination of CUR and MTX in niosomal formulation showed more toxicity than their combination in free form. Conclusion: The nanocarrier-based approach was effective for the codelivery of CUR and MTX against cancer cells in vitro.

Keywords::

• apoptosis
• colon cancer
• combination therapy
• curcumin
• methotrexate
• niosomes

Author contributions

N Mousazadeh: methodology, conceptualization, investigation, writing – original draft. M Gharbavi: methodology. H Rashidzadeh: writing – review. H Nosrati: investigation, methodology. H Danafar: supervision, writing – review. B Johari: supervision, software, writing – review and editing, formal analysis, approval of final manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (grant no. A-12-1244-8, Ethical Code IR.ZUMS.REC.1398.213). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (grant no. A-12-1244-8, Ethical Code IR.ZUMS.REC.1398.213). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.