Dendrosomal Curcumin Showed Cytotoxic Effects on Breast Cancer Cell Line by Inducing Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway and Cell Division Arrest.

Background: Mutations in the p53 gene have been linked to the initiation and progression of breast cancer, as well as resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, the development of novel treatment approaches is essential to combat this disease.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dendrosomal curcumin (DNC) on the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231.

Methods: MDA-MB231 cells were treated with 20 μM DNC, and the apoptosis rate and cell proliferation cycles were assessed using flow cytometry. Additionally, after RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression levels of Lnc-DANCR, EZH2, Noxa, bcl-2, bax, PUMA, p21, and p53 genes were analyzed using RT-PCR. Protein expression levels of P53, P21, Bcl-2, and Bax were evaluated through western blotting.

Results: Dendrosomal curcumin induced apoptosis in MDA-MB231 cells and caused cell cycle arrest at the SubG1 phase. Dendrosomal curcumin treatment downregulated Lnc-DANCR, EZH2, bcl-2, and p53 gene expression, while upregulating bax, Noxa, PUMA, and p21 gene expression in a time-dependent manner. Bax and P21 protein levels were significantly upregulated following DNC treatment, whereas Bcl-2 and P53 protein levels were downregulated in DNC-treated breast cancer cells.

Conclusions: In summary, dendrosomal nanocurcumin demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects against breast cancer cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment.