Pistacia atlantica fruit essential oil nanoemulsions (PAEO-NE), an effective antiangiogenic therapeutic and cell-dependent apoptosis inducer on A549 human lung cancer cells

Abstract

The purpose of this study was synthesizing of nanoemulsion from Pistacia atlantica essential oil (PAEO-NE) and investigates its possible mechanisms in inhibiting cancer cells. Ultrasonic method was used to prepare the optimal formulation and then after characterization, its anti-cancer effects were evaluated by MTT, flow cytometry, QPCR, ROS, CAM, and scratch methods. Particles measuring 35.8 nm, PDI 0.4 were obtained with a surface charge of −32 mV in a formulation containing 9% twin 80. These particles had cytotoxic effects against skin, lung and prostate cancer cells with IC₅₀ of less than 10 μg/mL without any toxic effect on normal cells. Increased intracellular ROS, increased expression of cas-3, 8, and IL-10 genes, inhibition of vessel length and number in CAM model and inhibition of cell migration in PAEO-NE treatment were observed. According to the results, PAEO-NE can be considered as as a safe and effective anti-lung cancer therapeutic agent.

Keywords:

• Pistacia atlantica essential oil (PFEO)
• nanoemulsions
• cell-depended cytotoxicity
• apoptosis inducer
• lung cancer
• anti-angiogenic
• ROS assay
• scratch assay

Acknowledgments

The authors very much appreciate the support provided by the Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran, in the conducting of the present research.