Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the anticancer properties of pH‐responsive carvacrol‐zinc oxide quantum dots on breast cancer cell line (MDA‐MB‐231)

• Published in: Cell biochemistry and function 2024-06, Vol.42 (4), p.e4062-n/a
• Main Authors: Srinivasan, Manoj Kumar, Premnath, Briska Jifrina, Parimelazhagan, Ramya, Namasivayam, Nalini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anticancer properties; Antineoplastic Agents - chemical synthesis; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antitumor activity; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; BAX protein; Bcl-2 protein; Biocompatibility; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cancer therapies; Carvacrol; Caspase; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cymenes - chemistry; Cymenes - pharmacology; Cytotoxicity; Drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Female; Fourier transforms; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectrophotometers; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; Membrane potential; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial - drug effects; Nanomaterials; Nanotechnology; Oxidative stress; Peroxidation; pH effects; pH sensitive; Quantum dots; Quantum Dots - chemistry; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Scanning electron microscopy; Solid tumors; Synthesis; Toxicity; Transmission electron microscopy; Tumor microenvironment; Tumors; X-ray diffraction; Zinc oxide; Zinc Oxide - chemical synthesis; Zinc Oxide - chemistry; Zinc Oxide - pharmacology; Zinc oxides
• ISSN: 0263-6484; 1099-0844
• DOI: 10.1002/cbf.4062

Since most solid tumors have a low pH value, a pH‐responsive drug delivery system may offer a broad method for tumor‐targeting treatment. The present study is used to analyze the anticancer activity of carvacrol‐zinc oxide quantum dots (CVC‐ZnO QDs) against breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231). CVC‐ZnO QDs demonstrate pH responsive and are specifically released within the acidic pH tumor microenvironment. This property enables targeted drug delivery exclusively to cancer cells while minimizing the impact on normal cells. To the synthesized ZnO QDs, the CVC was loaded and then examined by X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet‐visible, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive X‐ray, and transmission electron microscopy. For up to 20 h, CVC release was examined in different pH‐buffered solutions. The results showed that carvacrol release was stable in an acidic pH solution. Further, cytotoxicity assay, antioxidant, and lipid peroxidation activity, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, nuclear damage, and the ability of CVC‐ZnO QDs to cause apoptosis were all examined. Apoptosis markers such as Bcl2, Bax, caspase‐3, and caspase‐9, were also studied. In conclusion, the CVC‐ZnO QDs destabilized the MDA‐MB‐231cells under its acidic tumor microenvironment and regulated apoptosis. Significance statement The development of Carvacrol‐Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots (CVC‐ZnO QDs) as a pH‐responsive drug delivery system presents a groundbreaking solution for targeted breast cancer treatment. Exploiting the acidic microenvironment of solid tumors, the CVC‐ZnO QDs selectively release the drug within the tumor, minimizing the impact on normal cells. The comprehensive analysis, including X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet‐visible, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive X‐ray, and transmission electron microscopy, validates the successful synthesis of stable and biocompatible QDs. Notably, CVC‐ZnO QDs exhibit potent anticancer activity, inducing cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells. The modulation of apoptotic pathways, evidenced by altered Bcl2, Bax, caspase‐9, and caspase‐3 expressions, highlights the therapeutic potential of CVC‐ZnO QDs. These findings underscore the significance of pH‐responsive nanomaterials in advancing targeted cancer therapies and merit further exploration for in vivo applications.