Synergistic anticancer enhancement: Sericin nanogels co-delivery of anthocyanin and cancer drugs irinotecan, paclitaxel, and oxaliplatin

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the potential of a food derivative sericin nanogel-anthocyanin (SNG-C3G) nanocomposite to enhance the anticancer effects of various chemotherapeutic drugs, including irinotecan (IRI), paclitaxel (PTX), and oxaliplatin (OXA), on different cell lines such as HeLa, HSEC, and HEK293T. The SNG-C3G nanocomposites exhibited a uniform spherical morphology, and upon co-encapsulation with either IRI or PTX, the particle size and zeta potential remained relatively consistent, ranging from 24.96 to 29.44 nm and −18.37 to −23.67 mV, respectively. Our findings indicate a marked increase in the anticancer effectiveness when these drugs are combined with the SNG-C3G nanocomposite. Focusing on the interaction with PTX, our proteomic analysis revealed significant changes in cell behavior, including cytoprotective mechanisms, ligand interactions, stress response, and pathways associated with oxidative and metabolic detoxification. Specifically, 13 proteins were upregulated and 10 were downregulated in the SNG-C3G-PTX group compared to the PTX-only group. The strong antioxidant properties of C3G might stand out as a key factor in enhancing these effects. This study suggests the potential for developing new cancer treatment strategies that utilize anthocyanins to boost the effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy protocols.