Fabrication and evaluation of liposomal nanoparticles containing Silybum marianum extract and its toxicity on osteosarcoma cancer cell line (SAOS-2) and healthy fibroblast cell (HFF)

The aim of this study was to fabricate nanoliposomes containing Silybum marianum extract and evaluate its toxicity on SAOS-2 cancer cell line and to evaluate the toxicity of free extract and empty liposomes on HFF line.

Three liposomal systems containing extract with different molar percentages of SPC80 and SPC60 with cholesterol were prepared by thin film. Then the most suitable formulation was selected according to the loading percentage and release rate. The release pattern of the extract from the selected formulation was evaluated and the size, and surface charge of the particles were investigated. Finally, the toxicity of the selected system containing the extract, and the free extract and the system without the extract on the SAOS-2 cell line, and the toxicity of the free extract and the essential oil-free system on the HFF cell line were measured.

amount of extract loading in the selected formulation, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential for the selected formulation were 84.160.15, 98nm, 0.286 and -17.2mV, respectively. The release of the extract is slow at temperatures similar to those of healthy and cancer cells. Also, liposome extract had more toxicity on SAOS-2 cell line than free extract, and liposome-free extract and free extract had less toxicity on HFF cell line.

Based on the results, the liposomal system containing the extract, with its physicochemical properties and appropriate toxicity on the SAOS-2 cell line, can be a suitable carrier for the delivery of plant compounds to target cells.