Inhibition of growth of the human chronic leukemia cancer cell line K562 using capsaicin-containing nanofibers: an in vitro study

This study aims to investigate the anticancer properties of capsaicin, the active substance of red pepper, in different concentrations (2 %, 6 %, and 10 %) by chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol nanofiber substrate, against the K562 leukemia cell line. For this purpose, chitosan (Cs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymers were used to produce nanofibers with a 20/80 ratio by electrospinning, with capsaicin serving as the anticancer drug. The properties of the fabricated nanofibers were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Also, gold nanoparticles were used to analyze and compare its effectiveness against the K562 cancer cell line. This cell line was prepared from Pasteur cell bank and cultured in DMEM medium. Subsequently, the anticancer effect of synthetic nanofibers in different concentrations was assessed by performing survival test, apoptosis by annexin and propidium iodide staining, and cell scratch assay. The electron microscopy study demonstrated the uniformity and purity of the nanofiber structure. The results showed that capsaicin, dose-dependently, reduced the viability of K562 cells after 72 h (P < 0.01). The apoptotic assay also indicated that the induction of apoptosis significantly increased by PVA/Cs/Caps(2 %) and PVA/Cs/Au(5 %)/Caps(10 %) compounds in the studied cell line (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, scratch assay at 24, 48, and 72 h demonstrated that the mentioned compounds possess anti-migration potential, particularly at 48 h. Our results suggest that capsaicin in nanofiber substrate can show anticancer properties against the K562 leukemia cell line. Therefore, this compound can be considered a potential candidate for the treatment of leukemia.